53. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is advised that the draft articles declaratory of the constitution of the Church of Scotland in matters spiritual, if given legislative effect to, would render it possible for the funds which are the religious patrimony of the Scottish nation to, be diverted without the consent of the State from the support of the doctrines to which they are at present by Act of the Scottish Parliament devoted, and devoted to the support of the religious doctrines of a body which might by successive schisms be reduced to a small section of the nation; whether he is aware that many members of the Church and others believe that the power 218 given by Article 8 to the Church to interpret, modify, or add to the articles would make this possible; and whether, before committing the Government to support legislation embodying these articles, he will provide facilities for such proposed legislation being discussed in the House.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already informed my hon. Friend, in reply to questions put yesterday and in the course of last week, that the Government are aware of the point of view stated in his question, and that it will receive consideration in consultation with their legal advisers. I fear I can give no undertaking in the sense suggested in the last part of the question.