§ 35. Mr. ALEXANDER SHAWasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the desire existing in Scotland that the question of the articles of the Church of Scotland and the question of endowments should be treated in one comprehensive measure so as to make clear the position as a whole; and whether any representations in a contrary sense have been received from the Church of Scotland or the United Free Church?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe desire referred to in the question found no expression so far as I know in the General Assemblies. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. SHAWIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leader of the House on Wednesday last said the two Assemblies specially affected made it perfectly clear that they desired two Bills instead of one, and is he further aware that there is no foundation for that statement?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWDoes the hon. Member say that I said anyone desired two Bills instead of one? If so, I have no recollection of making any such statement.
§ Mr. SHAWI have looked at the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I think we must have been at cross-purposes.
§ Sir H. CRAIKThis House may be a suitable authority for dealing with the endowments of the Church of Scotland, but it is possible the people of Scotland might prefer to have the question of the Articles of the Church of Scotland dealt with in another way.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill the right hon. Gentleman be surprised to learn that in Scotland the question of Church reunion depends not merely on the question of the abolition of State control over policy and over doctrine, but also on the abolition of State control over funds?
§ Colonel GREIGWill the right hon. Gentleman postpone the whole question till it can be settled by a Scottish Parliament?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis is a very dangerous question for a mere Southerner to express any opinion upon.
51. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the second article of the draft articles declaratory of the constitution of the Church of Scotland in matters spiritual contains the provision that the government of the church is Presbyterian; whether he is aware that the eighth article provides that the Church has the right to interpret, modify, or add to those articles, but always consistently with the first article, which does not stipulate that the government of the church should be Presbyterian; whether he is advised that these articles would not set the Church of Scotland free to abandon Presbyterianism and become Episcopal without the consent of the State and at the same time to retain all the privileges and emoluments of an established church; whether he is aware that many members of the Church and others believe that the articles would have this effect; and whether, before committing the Government to promote legislation embodying these articles, he will consult the legal advisers of the Crown as to whether they would have this effect?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am aware that the articles have been criticised in the sense and on the assumptions indicated by my hon. Friend. The Government will, of course, have the assistance of their legal advisers in framing or interpreting any legislation of the kind referred to.
Mr. SCOTTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the "Glasgow Herald," one of the most responsible and influential newspapers in Scotland, not merely consents to accept this interpretation of the articles, but justifies it and defends the articles on the ground that they would have that effect, and if it is proved to his satisfaction or to the satisfaction of the Government that they will have that effect, will it influence their decision in any way?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it in Order for an hon. Member to refer to 28 a newspaper in this way when asking a question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is not for us to give characters to particular newspapers.