§ 2.47 p.m.
§ The LORD BISHOP OF EXETER moved to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Parsonages (Amendment) Measure, 1947, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent.
§ The right reverend Prelate said: My Lords, this Measure carries further the efforts now being made to free the clergy from the now intolerable burden of large houses, totally unsuited to the domestic needs of the time. It is a matter upon which any Bishop might be eloquent for a long time. It frequently happens—it has happened in my own diocese—that an opportunity arises to purchase a Rote modest house, more suited to the times and to the income of the clergy, but there is no money with which to purchase that house, and it is not always possible to carry through the sale of the larger house in time to raise the money. This Measure 747 gives Queen Anne's Bounty power to buy the house, the clergyman, in most cases, being either unable or unwilling to make the venture for a profit, or to risk a possible loss, by the exchange. This will enormously increase the speed with which a clergyman can be delivered from the burden, and the Measure provides that Queen Anne's Bounty shall purchase at the price which has first been agreed by the Bishop of the diocese and the diocesan dilapidation board. If there is a profit on the transaction then the benefice benefits by it. The Measure gives power to Queen Anne's Bounty to use the profit, if any, in paying off any loan or interest due on grants originally made for the erection of a house. The Measure has passed the Assembly, where it was welcomed, without opposition, and the Ecclesiastical Committee recommend that it be passed. I beg to move.
§ Moved to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Parsonages (Amendment) Measure, 1947, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent.—
§ (The Lord Bishop of Exeter.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.