HC Deb 24 July 1936 vol 315 cc1008-9

Lords Amendment: In page 38, line 32, after "rector", insert "of a rectory with cure of souls."

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

The phrase "spiritual rector" would include a sinecure rector, and it was thought desirable that such persons should be required to commute their liability in regard to repairs to the chancel in the same way as lay impropriators.

Mr. BELLENGER

I am pleased to see that this Amendment has been moved in another place, and I would like to direct the attention of the House to what was said by the right reverend Prelate who moved the Amendment.

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

The hon. Member must not refer to a speech made in another place this Session.

Mr. BELLENGER

I should like then, to direct the attention of the House to the facts, which I am given to understand are that at the present day there are some 19 rectors with no cure of souls, who are sinecure rectors. This lends substance to what many of us have thought in criticising the Bill, namely, that the Church should have put its own finances in order before the Bill was presented to us. Nevertheless, I was glad to see that the Amendment was moved in another place, and I feel sure it is one that can be welcomed by Members in all quarters of the House.