The Archbishop of Canterburysaid, he would as briefly as possible state to their Lordships the substance of the Amendments which had been introduced into the Bill now before the House, in compliance with the suggestions which had been made on the report being brought up. As he understood many noble Lords thought that the powers given to the Primate of prescribing conditions in respect to residence, performance of duties, glebe houses pluralities, and of enforcing these measures by revocation of the license of dispensation, were too undefined and extensive, he proposed to expunge the clauses which referred to such powers, and instead of it, he proposed to substitute a single regulation, that every person obtaining a license or dispensation, shall be obliged to reside at least six months in every year, on such one of the two benefices holden together as shall contain the largest population, if required to do so by the Bishop of the diocese in which such benefice is situated, and that if he refuse to comply with the order, he maybe proceeded against by such Bishop, as if he were non-resident, notwithstanding his residence on the other benefice. In this way the whole matter was left to the diocesan, who had 230 also authority under the existing laws to provide for the repairs of the glebe house, and the performance of the spiritual duties of the several parishes. These powers could be hereafter extended, if they were found insufficient. Another amendment he had peculiar satisfaction in proposing was, the insertion of Trinity College, Dublin, after the Universities of Oxford, and Cambridge. The Degrees of this University had not hitherto been considered as qualifications for obtaining dispensations in England, but that privilege was due to an institution so important as a place of education. He moved, that the report be received.
§ Lord Tenterden moved, as an Amendment, that the words "forty-five" be substituted for the word "thirty," in the clause enacting that no clergyman shall hold two benefices at a greater distance than thirty miles from each other.
§ Their Lordships divided on the Amendment: Contents 12; Not Contents—53; Majority 41.
§ The Report received.
| List of the CONTENTS. | |
| Boston, Lord | Selkirk, Earl of |
| Bristol, Bishop of | Strangford, Viscount |
| Carnarvon, Earl of | Tenterden, Lord |
| Cork, Bishop of | Winchester, Bishop of |
| Cumberland, Duke of | Wynford, Lord |
| Eldon, Earl of | TELLER. |
| Orford, Earl of | Kenyon, Lord |