§ LORD, EBURY, in rising to put, the Question, of which he had given notice as to the probability of legislation this Cession upon the compulsory use of the Burial Service, said, he did not intend to enter upon any discussion of this subject at present. He called the attention of this House last year to the Question, and proposed to address Her, Majesty for, the, issue of, a Royal Commission to inquire into the evils, which were staged to arise from the compulsory and indiscriminate use of the Burial Service. In support of the Motion he referred the House to a petition signed by about 4,000 ministers of the Church of England, and addressed to the heads of the Church, praying that some relief might be afforded to their consciences by removing the grievous, scandals caused by the present, state, of the law. Upon that occasion the most, rev. Primate urged him to withdraw the Motion in order that the representatives of the Church might further consider the subject. He did accordingly withdraw, his Motion. Before doing so, however, his most rev. friend the Primate undertook for himself and his right rev. Brethren that they would give their serious attention to the subject, and ascertain, if possible, the views and feelings of the clergy in reference to it, and, if possible, devise some means of remedying an admitted grievance. At the same time he stated that he would not pledge himself — indeed, he did not, think impracticable to do so during that Sessions. Before the Session terminated he asked his most rev. 1929 Friend whether anything had been done; and the most rev. Primate stated on that occasion that he had already taken some steps in the matter, hut that he would require more time in order to ascertain what, were the sentiments of the clergy on the subject. Since that time the greatest part of a year had elapsed. The present Session was now fast drawing to a close, and he hoped he should not he considered as manifesting any improper impatience if he ventured to ask his most rev. Friend, Whether it was likely that any Legislation will take place this Session to remedy the evils complained of from the compulsory and indiscriminate use of the Burial Service? Should the answer he in the negative, it was his intention on this day fortnight to bring the whole Question again under the notice of the House.
THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYsaid, his noble Friend had stated very accurately what passed during the last Session of Parliament on the question of the Burial Service. It was quite true that he (the Archbishop of Canterbury) undertook to endeavour to Service some measure which should remedy the grievance Which he acknowledged to exist; but before doing so he stated that he ought to ascertain 'What were the views of his right rev. Brethren, and the views of the clergy of the United Church of England and Ireland. He thought he might say that the majority of his right rev. Brethren were averse to any change in the Burial Service. He had taken great pains to ascertain the view's of the clergy on the subject, and the preponderating majority, amounting to at least three fourths — perhaps four fifths—were also averse to any change in that service. Their feeling was that the remedy would be worse than the disease, and that it would be better to submit to present evil than run the greater risks that might follow from any change. That being the case, he certainly did not feel himself at all prepared to propose any such remedy for the grievance complained of. He should not be justified in doing so contrary, he believed, to the views of the majority of his right rev. Brethren, certainly to the opinion of an immense preponderance of the clergy. His noble Friend had not touched on the merits of the Question, and he should not, therefore, enter upon it on this occasion, hut he should be prepared to meet him when he renewed his Motion.
§ LORD EBURYthen gave notice that on 1930 this day fortnight he would renew the Motion he made upon this subject last Session.