The Bishop of Exeterbegged leave to ask a question of the noble Viscount, as to the course which Ministers meant to pursue with respect to the recommendations of the Church Commissioners. Did they mean to go on with the bills for carrying those recommendations into effect in the present Session? It was of great importance that he and his reverend brethren should be apprised of the intention of her Majesty's Government respecting those measures, because it would be impossible for them otherwise to make arrangements for the convenience, at once, of themselves and of their respective dioceses. Another reason why he deemed this information necessary was, because he saw by the votes of the House of Commons that a Committee on this particular subject would be moved for on that very evening. If that Committee were granted, it would have to deal with matters, and would immediately interfere with business, which appertained to the Commissioners, as appeared by the preamble of the Act under which they were appointed. Supposing that Committee to proceed, its labours would contravene the provisions of the Statute, which the noble Viscount, a short time ago, declared he would resist any intention of interfering with. He alluded to the 6th and 7th William 4th, cap. 37.
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to proceed with the Benefices Pluralities Bill, and the bill for the regulation of church leases under deans and chapters, as early as circumstances and the state of the other business would permit