§ 17. Mr. Dribergasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many advowsons he now holds; how many benefices within his gift are at present vacant; and what is the average duration of such vacancies.
§ Mr. HoughtonThe Sovereign in right of the Duchy of Lancaster is patron of 44 benefices. The Chancellor himself is not the patron. Two benefices are vacant now and the average duration of vacancies (taken over the last three years) is some 7½ weeks to date of presentation and 17 weeks to date of institution.
§ Mr. DribergI thank my right hon. Friend for the latter part of that reply, which shows that he advises the Sovereign rather more promptly than some other people do, but can he say whether there is a common list or, as it were, a common pool of clergymen on which he and other public patrons can draw?
§ Mr. HoughtonThe answer is "Yes, Sir".