HL Deb 23 June 1953 vol 182 cc1191-2

4.53 p.m.

THE LORD BISHOP OF BLACKBURN rose to move to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Archdeaconries (Augmentation) Measure, 1953, be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent. The right reverend Prelate said: My Lords, I beg to move the Resolution standing in my name which refers to the Archdeaconries (Augmentation) Measure, 1953, of the National Assembly of the Church of England. The object of this very short Measure is to enable the Church Commissioners, at their discretion, to increase to £400 per annum the present maximum payments of £300 per annum which they may make to archdeacons from their General Fund. Archdeacons as such have no other form of remuneration. They hold their office with some benefice or other preferment, and the assistance given by the Commissioners is, in effect, a contribution towards their expenses. The expenses of the office are often very heavy. The proposed increase of £100 per annum in the amount payable by the Commissioners will do no more than help to meet the increase in these expenses since 1926, when the figure was raised from £200 to the present £300.

In addition to that, this Measure provides for the repeal of certain previous procedures. It takes the opportunity of doing away with the present rather cumbrous procedure of a scheme confirmed by Order in Council, and it also repeals a certain amount of obsolete or obsolescent law relating to archdeaconries. It will remove certain restrictions which have worked most unfairly in the administration of the Commissioners' scheme of grants. That is the whole of the Measure. It has been favourably reported upon by the Ecclesiastical Committee and has passed through the Church Assembly without a division at any stage. I hope the House will find it acceptable. I beg to move.

Moved, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Archdeaconries (Augmentation) Measure, 1953, be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.—(The Lord Bishop of Blackburn.)

On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

House adjourned at five minutes before five o'clock