HC Deb 14 August 1913 vol 56 cc2812-4

Considered in Committee, and reported without Amendment.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."

Mr. KING

Here, again, is an extremely important point. I am not quite sure that it is not by far the most important point that has occurred in any one of these Bills. This is a very interesting case of a chapel at Alfriston. Some hon. Members may know the very interesting little old village of Alfriston not far from Eastbourne. If they have not visited it, I should like to recommend them to go there. It is one of the most picturesque and interesting little rural towns in the South of England. It contains some very interesting and antiquarian relics of various kinds, and it is not very far from there that some ancient skulls were found. There is a chapel which has for many years been in the sole occupation- of the congregational body. The Report upon this charity states:— For many years past this place of worship has been solely occupied by the Congregational body, and it has been carried on by means of the rents of the property comprised in the above-mentioned deed. On this charity wanting this property vested in the Sussex Congregational Union, difficulties were raised, and now, by this Bill, the property is to be taken away from the Congregationalists—that is what it amounts to—and given to another body. I do not mind that if all parties are agreed, but I am quite sure that anybody who goes into it will agree that the Bill ought not to be passed sub silentio.

Mr. C. P. ALLEN

The hon. Member, I think, is quite wrong. The property was originally given to the Countess of Huntingdon Connexion as trustees. It has always been run by the Congregational- ists. An application was made to appoint the Sussex Congregational Union as trustees, and the Sussex Congregational Union will be responsible for the property and the chapel.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAREE, pursuant to the Order of the House of 22nd July, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Mr. KING

I wish to utter my protest at the way in which the business during the last hour has been hustled through. We all know very well the reason. It is because we had a message from the other end of the passage that the Lords would not wait any longer for the Bills.

Notice taken that forty Members were not present. House counted, and forty Members not being present,

The House was adjourned at Twenty-four minutes past Eight o'clock, till to-morrow (Friday), at 11 a.m.