§ THE LORD BISHOP OF MANCHESTER moved to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Wythenshawe Parishes (Transfer) Measure, 1933, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent. 997 The right rev. Prelate said: My Lords, the Measure is one for the transfer from the diocese of Chester of two parishes and a portion of a third parish to the diocese of Manchester, and the circumstances in which that transfer has seemed to be necessary are these. Some two and a half years ago the Corporation of the City of Manchester promoted a Bill for the incorporation within the City of three parishes in the County of Chester named Northenden, Northen Etchells and Baguley. That BiI1 received the assent of both Houses of Parliament and became law. The purpose of the Manchester Corporation was that Wythenshawe—that name was given to the three parishes—should become a large housing estate. Wythenshawe Park, just outside the confines of the then City, had been presented by two citizens to the City as a public park, and a very large area of land around the park has now become a great housing estate to which people from the centre of Manchester, and especially from the urban and crowded slum districts, are gradually being transferred. The population of Wythenshawe when the Act was passed was somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000. Owing to the enterprise of the City Corporation, and to some extent of private people, the population of Wythenshawe to-day is estimated to be something over 30,000. Plans are already in being for further development over the next few years, and it is expected that Wythenshawe will be a kind of satellite town to Manchester with a population of some 100,000.
§ At first, from the ecclesiastical point of view, it seemed possible for the diocese of Chester to look after the people in that area although it was very far from Chester, although it was on the confines of the diocese, and although most of the people were Manchester citizens. That, however, became increasingly difficult and the late Bishop of Chester asked me if we in Manchester would be willing to assume responsibility for these parishes in view of the fact that the people living within them were Manchester citizens. It seemed to me perfectly right that we should do so and in my own diocese the whole matter was carefully discussed, as it was also in the diocese of Chester. It was agreed with practically no opposition of any kind that the transfer should 998 be made. In the Chester diocesan conference some few speeches were made and some few votes given against the scheme on sentimental grounds. Chester did not like parting with any part of the County. In my own diocesan conference one or two speeches were made deprecating the transfer on the ground of the very large financial responsibility which it would throw on the diocese. It was suggested that if Chester gave her daughter in marriage to Manchester she should give us a dowry or, at least, accompany the transfer with some wedding gifts, but I am proud to say for the credit of the diocese that when the resolution was put not one single hand was put up against the scheme. The proposal was brought before the Church Assembly in one session and the Measure was presented in the next session and passed through all stages without a single word of opposition.
§ The proposal is that these three townships shall be transferred to the diocese of Manchester. Unfortunately, the boundaries of the townships and the ecclesiastical parishes are not identical, so it is proposed that the parish of Northenden and the parish of Baguley, except such part of it as lies to the west of the Bridgewater Canal, and such part of the parish of Timperley as is now within the boundaries of the City of Manchester shall be transferred from the diocese of Chester to the diocese of Manchester. The first clause of the measure enacts that, and transfers to the parish of St. Mary Magdelene, Ashtonupon-Mersey, the part of the parish of Baguley west of the Bridgewater Canal. Then the question of patronage arises. The patronage of the parish of Northenden was in the hands of the Dean and Chapter of Chester, but with their cordial good will and in view of the fact that large responsibility will fall upon the Bishop of Manchester, die patronage is transferred to the Bishop of Manchester for the time being. The parish of Baguley is in private patronage and will so remain. Documents belonging to the parishes of Northenden and Baguley will be transferred from the registrar of the diocese of Chester to the registrar of the diocese of Manchester. Lest there be any possible chance of harm being done to anyone, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are given power to make 999 schemes to preserve the rights of everyone concerned.
§ That, briefly, is the purport of the Measure. The real reason for it is that the City of Manchester is one whole and that the people who live in Wythenshawe look to Manchester as their centre in every other department of life. I think your Lordships will agree that it is a pity to divorce the spiritual interests of the community from other interests. On that ground, although it does mean a heavy burden thrown on the diocese of Manchester, I gladly accept it. I am sorry to have had to detain your Lordships with this description of the Measure, but perhaps it is good that in London Manchester should be sometimes remembered. No one in your Lordships' House except myself has the wisdom to live in the diocese of Manchester and consequently it is necessary that I should explain the Measure which I now ask your Lordships to accept.
§ Moved to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Wythenshawe Parishes (Transfer) Measure, 1933, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent—(The Lord Bishop of Manchester.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.