HC Deb 16 May 1887 vol 315 cc60-1
SIR THOMAS GROVE (Wilts, Wilton)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact, as reported in The Mark Lane Express of 9th May, that a distraint for tithes was carried out, on Monday 2nd instant, at Shinford, Berks, by order of the Dean and Chapter of Hereford, on property belonging to the Reverend B. Body, of Eldon House, Reading, and that, in consequence of a large cattle fair being held on the same day in the immediate neighbourhood, a rick of hay, valued at £70, was sold for £51, to the great loss of Mr. Body; whether it is lawful to distrain for tithe, as in this case, on the Monday, the notice for such distraint having only been given, by advertisement in the local newspapers, on the Saturday previous; and, whether, the notice being one only of one day, the distraint is invalid?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STUART-WORTLEY) (Sheffield, Hallam)

(who replied) said: The Secretary of State is in communication with the Dean and Chapter as to the facts quoted; but as yet there has not been time to receive a reply. The Secretary of State must decline to give an opinion as to the legality of the proceedings. If the person distrained upon feels aggrieved, he has his remedy at law.