§ MR. BIDDULPHsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Poor Law Board, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that hospitals and other charitable institutions, formerly held to be exempt from poor and other parochial rates, are by a recent decision made assessable for these rates; and whether he proposes to recommend any alteration in the Law so affecting them?
§ MR. EARLESir, the decision referred to by the hon. Member for Herefordshire, as establishing the liability of hospitals and other charitable institutions to contribute to poor-rates, has certainly not escaped the attention of my right hon. Friend the President of the Poor Law Board. As, however, the state of the law will probably be further elucidated by the decision of the Courts, in some cases now pending, I cannot at present say more than that the whole question of exemptions from rating is under the consideration of the Government.