HL Deb 11 July 1949 vol 163 cc1044-6

2.37 p.m.

THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY rose to move to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Church Dignitaries (Retirement) Measure, 1949, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent. The most reverend Primate said: My Lords, after the reference to those grave, serious and disturbing matters I ask your Lordships to turn your attention to very simple matters concerning the internal economy of the Church of England. The Motion which I now move deals with the Church Dignitaries (Retirement) Measure, the principles underlining which have already been accepted and approved by Parliament. In 1945, the Incumbents (Disability) Measure provided for compulsory retirement of an incumbent on the grounds of age or infirmity, and in 1947 the Incumbents (Disability) Measure provided for compulsory vacation of office by an incumbent found guilty, after full trial, of unbecoming conduct or neglect of duty. For technical reasons it was not possible to include in those Measures the officers who are here described as "dignitaries," but this Measure applies to them precisely similar provisions. Part I deals with age or infirmity, and Part II with unbecoming conduct or neglect of duty of certain dignitaries. I would inform your Lordships to whom the term "dignitaries" applies—namely: deans and provosts of cathedral churches, archdeacons, canons and prebendaries, whether stipendiary or not, and clerks in Holy Orders holding any other ecclesiastical offices of freehold tenure, not being parochial benefices (except holders of offices in a Royal Peculiar, members of the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral church of Christ in Oxford and lay canons) … Your Lordships will observe that Bishops are not included amongst the dignitaries to whom this Measure applies!

There are only two other points I need mention. The first is that, on the Incumbents Measure, the "Grand Jury" which first looked at the complaint to see whether it was sound was a ministerial committee composed of other clergy. In this Measure the "Grand Jury" is the Cathedral Chapter—and in fact the Measure applies only to Chapter Dignitaries. The Special Court which hears a case is the same in all these Measures. The other point I would mention is that, as in the earliest Measures, no complaint may be brought which relates to any question of doctrine, ritual or ceremonial or of the social or political opinions of activities of the dignitary. 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 Church Dignitaries (Retirement) Measure. 1949, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent.—(The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.)

LORD CALVERLEY

My Lords, I wish to keep the House for only a moment or two. Some of us who are Free Churchmen have taken an interest in these Motions, especially when they have come forward in another place. I rise simply to say how relieved I am that the most reverend Primate has explained to us in such a lucid way what is really happening, because from some of the reports in the Press many of us thought that a Lord of Parliament was concerned. I trust that I take my duties not too seriously, but if a Lord of Parliament had been concerned in this Motion, I think some of us would have had something more to say. I trust that, if the most reverend Primate has any opportunity of dealing with the thorn in his flesh, as St. Paul put it, he will deal with it tenderly.

LORD LLEWELLIN

My Lords, may I say that I was asked by my noble friend Lord Salisbury to look into these Motions. With regard to this one, it seems to me that it is only right to have the same kind of procedure for those who are termed "dignitaries of the Church" as has already been approved by Parliament for those who are termed "parochial clergy." I suggest that this Measure should receive our full support.

On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.