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Motion made, and Question proposed,
That, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Channel Islands (Church Legislation) Measure, 1931, be presented to His Majesty for Royal Assent."—[Lord H. Cecil.]
§ Mr. EDECan the Noble Lord explain the position that will arise if the States of the Islands or the Island concerned does not entirely agree to the Measure that is submitted to them? Unfortunately the report of the Ecclesiastical Committee does not tell us much, because it merely repeats the words of paragraph 3 of the Schedule of the Measure. Apparently a Measure is submitted to the States of the Islands or the Island concerned, and they express their views, but there is no provision made that those views shall be effective. All that happens after that, apparently, is that the Bishop of the Church Assembly consider these views. If they like to come to a decision contrary to the views expressed by the State, apparently they are entitled to do so, and the views expressed by the States then have no effect.
§ Lord H. CECILThe matter would be lef to the Bishop, but there is no doubt that the Bishop would not press for a Measure which the Islands did not want, because the whole purpose of this Measure is to extend legislation which the Islands desire to have extended. It is not desired to force on them legislation which they do not want.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
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Resolved,
That, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Channel Islands (Church Legislation) Measure, 1931, be presented to His Majesty for Royal Assent.