COLONEL FEENCHsaid, in the absence of his hon. Friend (Mr. White), he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, under the fifth section of the Act for the Abolition of Compulsory Church Rates passed last Session, Church Rates are not or may not be made, levied, and enforced, although under another name or form, by virtue of private or local Acts; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government is prepared to bring in a Bill to relieve parishes or places from the operation of such Acts, and so give to such parishes or places the full benefit and advantage of the Act of last Session?
MR. BRUCEI am not aware, Sir, of any cases in which church rates are levied in the manner indicated by the 1855 Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman. By the Act for the Abolition of Compulsory Church Bates, no church fate can be levied under the authority of any general or local Act, unless either money is due on the security of the rate, or the rate is clearly the equivalent of tithes or other property, or of some valuable consideration which has been surrendered. Unless my hon. and gallant Friend can show that church rates are still levied under circumstances different from these, Her Majesty's Government is not prepared to recommend legislation.