14 APRIL 1950, Page 20

The Upkeep of Cathedrals

SIR,—If the State makes grants for the preservation of the fabric of our cathedrals and ancient parish churches, then inevitably the State will claim to have a voice in the way in which they are used. No longer will they be used exclusively for services of the Church of England. Other religious bodies will expect to be allowed to use them, and it will not be long before the naves of the cathedrals will be used for all kinds of concerts and plays which may not be of such a religious character. Does the Dean of Winchester realise this when he advocates