Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/116

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THE STATUTES OF WALES

bringing about great increases in the population. Under the Reform Act Wales obtained five new members, making thirty-two members instead of the twenty-seven members provided for by the Act of 1535. By section 4, Merthyr Tydfil was created a new borough with the right of returning one member; by section 8, certain places as scheduled in the Act were to have a share in the elections for shire towns and certain boroughs; one additional county member was given to Glamorganshire, one member was given to Swansea and its contributory boroughs, one additional county member was given to Carmarthenshire and Denbighshire, and one additional county member to the county of Monmouth. By subsequent general Acts relating to the Parliamentary franchise, these electoral arrangements have been completely altered. In 1867, Merthyr Tydfil received an additional representative. In 1885, Beaumaris, Brecknock, Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Radnor Boroughs were disfranchised; Glamorganshire obtained the right of sending five members to the House of Commons, and an additional representative was given to Monmouthshire and Swansea.

Legislation for the Established Church in Wales.

One of the results of the vigorous efforts for the improvement of public institutions which followed the Reform Act of 1832 was the appointment of a standing body now known as the "Ecclesiastical Commission," invested with very important powers. Under the operation of the Ecclesiastical Commission extensive changes were made in the distribution of the revenues of the Church of England in Wales.

A.D. 1836.—In 1836, an Act of great consequence became law. It recognized the special needs of the Welsh people as to the performance of ecclesiastical duties in the Welsh