HC Deb 08 April 1932 vol 264 cc523-6

Order for Second Reading read.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)

I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill is a sequel, and a valuable sequel, to the great union between the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland, which took place in 1929 after a long series of negotiations, and it deals with the selection and appointment of ecclesiastical professors in the universities subsequent to the change of relations which has taken place between the universities and the previous theological colleges. It gives power to the universities to themselves, in combination with the Church, to make appointments to ecclesiastical professorships in the Scottish universities in cases where these professorships had previously been in the appointment of the Crown or special bodies. That is the main provision contained in the first two Clauses.

The only other Clause to which I need draw attention is Clause 3, which deals with bursaries, which have hitherto been tenable by students of Church colleges, and it provides for their being held by any students of theology in any Scottish university who are preparing for the Ministry of the Church of Scotland or of the United Free Church of Scotland. Some hon. Members may think that that Clause, or possibly one of the subsequent Clauses may require some Amendment in Committee. I think that is the only point that can arise and it is purely a committee point. The Bill, if the House give it a Second Reading to-day, will go to the Scottish Standing Committee, and there any smaller question that it may be necessary to discuss can be dealt with. The Bill as a whole, indeed the actual provisions of it, is the result of negotiations between the church and the universities. I do not think it is necessary for me to elaborate it, but. merely to content myself by saying that I feel myself very happy, as one of the hon. Members representing the Scottish Universities, to have this opportunity of commending to the House, the Second Reading of a Bill which will undoubtedly improve theological training in Scotland, a branch of education for which Scotland is already famous.

Mr. MACPHERSON

I prefer to say only one word, and that is a word of welcome for this Bill. I am glad that the Under-Secretary stated that in the Committee stage we shall have an opportunity of receiving further explanation. Relying upon that promise, I do not propose to address the House further now.

Mr. BUCHAN

I should like, as a representative of the Scottish Universities, to join with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary in commending this Measure. It is the coping stone of the great edifice of church union which was effected in 1929. The purpose of that union was to prevent overlapping and waste in the religious life in Scotland, and the purpose of this Measure is to prevent overlapping, duplication and waste in the teaching of theology.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a Second time, and committed to a Standing Committee.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 3.

Adjourned accordingly at Two Minutes before Four o'Clock, until Monday next, 11th April.