§ 58. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary for Scotland if the small heritors of Scotland have been consulted by the Church authorities on the provisions of the Church of Scotland Bill; and if there is any means of consulting the heritors unless at heritors' meetings duly cited from the pulpit?
Mr. ADAMSONI am informed that there is no body representative of the small heritors, and accordingly formal consultation with them has not been possible, but in the negotiations in connection with the Bill referred to their interests have* been kept in view. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware that there is any legal limitation as to the manner in which heritors may be consulted.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not the case that from time immemorial the only way in which small heritors have been consulted is by intimations from the pulpit, and I would like to know if in this case any such intimation has been served; or is it a fact that the only people consulted were the large landowners and property owners interested in the Church?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say when it is proposed to take the Church of Scotland Bill in this House?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMay I have an answer to my question?
Mr. ADAMSONThere is nothing that stands in the way of this being intimated in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend.