VISCOUNT DUNGANNONput the Question of which he had given notice, namely, Whether any Bill is proposed to be introduced this Session under the Sanction of the Episcopal Bench to alter and amend the Law relative to Dilapidations on Glebe Houses. The noble Viscount expressed the belief that he should receive an answer 324 to the question that would be gratifying to a large portion of the community, more especially the parochial clergy; for beyond all doubt, if ever there were a matter which more than any other loudly called for some alteration and amendment, it was the law upon the subject of dilapidations on glebe houses. He had intended to introduce a measure himself in a former Session; but upon learning that the matter was to be taken into consideration by the right rev. Bench and the two Houses of Convocation, he refrained from doing so. He believed that Convocation and the right rev. Plates did take the question into consideration last year, but that in consequence of the dissolution it had necessarily, with many other important questions, been postponed. But he had reason to believe that the subject had been duly weighed and considered by them since, and that a measure would be introduced this Session that would be calculated to give real satisfaction to the clergy.
THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYstated, in reply, that during last Session a Bill was in preparation, but owing to the circumstances of that Session an opportunity could not be got of introducing it into Parliament. He had, however, been in communication with his right rev. Brethren on the subject, and could now state with the complete concurrence of three of them, that a measure was actually under consideration, and he hoped in a short time it would be completed and submitted to their Lordships' House.
THE EARL OF CARNARVONexpressed his satisfaction that a Bill was about to be brought forward on this subject. There were some alteration which had occurred to him which he hoped had not escaped the attention of the right rev. Prelates.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he was gratified to hear from the most rev. Prelate that a measure was about to be introduced which had the concurrence of the Episcopal Bench. He thought there would be found difficulties if any attempt' were made to codify the whole law affecting the subject. It seemed to be especially desirable that there should be something more stringent than the present law to require the incumbent to keep his house in repair.
THE BISHOP OF OXFORDsaid, the difficulty of altering the law on this subject had always been felt to be the interference which it involved with the old English axiom, that "an Englishman's house was 325 his castle." The matter had been many years under the consideration of the Episcopal Bench; and it was a happy circumstance at the present moment that the great body of the parochial clergy, by their representatives in the Lower House of Convocation, had agreed fully in the principles that were necessary to remedy the defects of the present law. There was a great objection to anything like inspection; but it was generally admitted that there should be a public officer to examine from time to time, and see what repairs were necessary, and order them to be done, and to receive a yearly sum from the hands of the incumbent. He might, however, state, in order to correct the noble Lord who had just spoken, that the Bill, being in the nature of a- taxing Bill, could not be introduced into their Lordships' House, but must originate in the other House of Parliament.