§ 65. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the petition presented to the Upper House of Convocation, signed by divines and scholars, making a claim for complete intellectual freedom to restate and interpret the traditional doctrines of the Church; and whether, taking into account the advance of the higher criticism, he will cause letters of business to issue to Convocation with the object of freeing the Church of England from doctrinal fetters?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have read the report of this petition which has appeared in the Press. No useful purpose would, in ray opinion, be served by issuing letters of business as suggested. The Upper House of Convocation discussed the general question at their recent sittings and adopted resolutions which my hon. Friend has no doubt seen. In any case no change of the kind suggested could be made without the authority of Parliament.