VISCOUNT DUNGANNONput a question, of which he had given notice, in reference to the present state of the law relative to dilapidations in glebe houses. It was a subject, he said, of anxious interest to a large body of the parochial clergy throughout the country. The existing law as regarded dilapidations was not only most unjust in every sense, but in many instances exceedingly oppressive. An incumbent frequently succeeded to an insolvent predecessor, or to a living which had been several years in sequestration, and might be called upon to make extensive reparations; but in such a case he had no adequate remedy; and sometimes, particularly in the diocese of London, a clergyman frequently removed from one benefice to another, and might be called upon to make repairs, for which he received no compensation whatever—which he need not say was a manifest injustice. He 169 hoped himself to be able to introduce a measure to meet the case, but he would much prefer that the matter should be taken up by the natural guardian of the Established Church in that House. He therefore wished to ask the right rev. Prelate who presided over the diocese of London, whether any measure, sanctioned by the right reverend Bench, was likely to be introduced during the present Session, to alter and amend the Law relative to Dilapidations in Glebe Houses.
THE BISHOP OF LONDONsaid, he was instructed by the right rev. Primate to give an answer to the question of the noble Viscount. The subject referred to was one of much difficulty, and had been under the consideration of those Bishops who were in town during the last week, the result of which had been that instructions were given to prepare a measure which, though he could not make a promise, would, it was hoped, be introduced and be found satisfactory.