§ Amendments reported (according to Order).
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDsaid, that in pursuance of the understanding he had come to on a previous occasion with his noble Friend (the Duke of Argyll) as to the constitution of the elective body, he now proposed, in Clause 3, page 2, fine 7, after ("communicants") to insert ("and others aforesaid") and in Clause 7, after the word ("communicants") to insert ("and other members of the congregation qualified in terms of 1569 this Act,") and at the end of the clause to add this Proviso—
Provided always that if any communicants or other members of the congregation of a vacant church and parish, qualified in terms of this Act, shall apply to the presbytery of the bounds, and shall state that the number of communicants and other members of the congregation of such church and parish, qualified as aforesaid, is less than 25, it shall be lawful for the said presbytery, if they see fit, to make an appointment tanquam jure devoluto on the expiration of three months after the vacancy has occurred.
§ Amendments agreed to.
§ Further Amendments made; Bill to be read 3a To-morrow; and to be printed as amended. (No. 113.)