WESTMINSTER ABBEY MEASURE, 1929. (Hansard, 29 April 1929)

§ Major BIRCHALL

I beg to move, That, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Westminster Abbey Measure, 1929, be presented to His Majesty for Royal Assent. This Measure has absolutely nothing to do with the vexed question of the position of the new sacristy in Westminster Abbey; that is entirely outside the scope of this Measure. This Measure re-apportions the annual income of the Dean and Chapter and the Fabric Fund. That matter was dealt with in 1888, and has not been amended since. Everyone knows the changes that there have been in rates and taxes and the value of money since that date, and it is now 1356 desired, by means of a scheme drawn up by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, to reapportion the income of Westminster Abbey as between the staff and the Fabric Fund and the cost of the services. The scheme has to be drawn up by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and to receive the approval of the Dean and Chapter and the Visitor. I have ascertained that the Visitor is the Crown, and I am told that the Crown in such cases is represented by the Lord Chancellor. Therefore, there is every safeguard that any scheme which may be drawn up will have proper consideration and will be satisfactory. I believe that the Measure is quite non-controversial. It has received the consideration of the Ecclesiastical Committee, who have reported favourably upon it.