HL Deb 29 February 1872 vol 209 cc1148-9

Clause 92 (Rules and Orders to be made by the Ecclesiastical Courts Committee of the Privy Council).

THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER moved the omission of words providing for the impannelling and payment of jurors, on the ground that the jury clauses had been struck out of the Bill.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

suggested the insertion of words in that part of the clause which relates to the "establishing, altering, or regulating the fees to be payable by suitors," in order to prevent the Court to be established, in order to carry out the provisions of the Bill, having the power to increase such fees.

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

objected generally to the establishment of the Court referred to by the noble Marquess. It would be a step towards the disestablishment of the Church if a Court consisting partly of laymen were to have jurisdiction in matters ecclesiastical. The Church, he maintained, ought to be allowed to manage her own affairs, instead of being sacrificed to the State, and he therefore objected strongly to some of the provisions of the present Bill.

Clause amended, and agreed to.