HC Deb 08 February 1915 vol 69 cc252-3
22. Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked whether the Welsh Commissioners have made general rules of procedure as required by Section 11 of the Welsh Church Act; if these rules have been approved with or without modifications by His Majesty the King in Council; and, if so, when they were laid before both Houses of Parliament; and whether such rules embodied the methods devised for ascertaining the wishes of residents in the border parishes?

Mr. McKENNA

The Welsh Church Commissioners have made general rules of procedure under Section 11 of the Welsh Church Act which have been confirmed without modification by His Majesty the King in Council. The rules were laid before Parliament on Tuesday, the 2nd instant. The rules do not embody the method adopted by the Commissioners for ascertaining the wishes of parishioners in border parishes.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Are there not going to be any more rules than those already passed?

Mr. McKENNA

I will inquire.

26. Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked the Home Secretary what has been the procedure of the Welsh Church Commissioners in ascertaining the wishes of the border parishes; and why they have submitted no rules on this matter to His Majesty in Council?

Mr. McKENNA

With respect to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave in reply to his question on Thursday last. As regards the concluding part of the question, I must remind the hon. Member that an appeal lies to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the event of parishioners being dissatisfied with a decision of the Welsh Church Commissioners in respect of a border parish. In such event the proceedings of the Commissioners would form a material part of the case, and the Commissioners cannot be asked to discuss or defend those proceedings beforehand.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Is it a fact that while there is a right of appeal as to the result of the election nobody has a right of appeal as regards procedure, and why has no notice whatever been given by the Commissioners that a ballot was going to be taken?

Mr. McKENNA

I will put these further questions to the Commissioners.