§ *EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, I rise to ask the Lord Bishop of London if he is aware that the Church of St. George, Botolph Lane, has been closed for over five years, and the rectory house let for business purposes; and if any, and what, provision has been made for the spiritual oversight of the parish by the rector? I do not propose to detain your Lordships. I would merely say that this appears to me to be a very gross case of neglect of duty on the part of the rector of St. George, Botolph Lane. The rector at the present moment receives over £600 a year, including the sum which he receives as income for the rectory house, which is let for business purposes. For that stipend he performs no duties whatever on behalf of his parishioners. Putting on one side the question of doing duty for wages received, I would merely say that what makes the question more deplorable is that almost within a stone's throw of St. George's Church admirable work is being done by the Church Army and the London City Mission. There is no doubt that if the rector re-opened the church he would have a large congregation to which he might administer with advantage.
*THE BISHOP OF LONDONThe facts of the case are these: The fabric of the Church of St. George's, Botolph Lane, was some years ago reported to be insanitary and dangerous. The church was, therefore, closed for services on sanitary grounds. A scheme was then set on foot for the union of the parish of St. George with the adjoining 947 parish of St. Mary-at-Hill. Such unions involve, as your Lordships are aware, many complicated arrangements, and the question has not yet been entirely settled. But in a very short time the parish of St. George, Botolph Lane, will cease to exist, and will be united to St. Mary-at-Hill. Meanwhile, the rector is responsible for the spiritual work of the parish, and I have no reason to think that it is neglected.
§ The House adjourned at 4.33 till Thursday, 4.15.