THE EARL OF LONGFORDasked, as to the Irish Church Act, 1869, What proportion of "owners" have applied to the Church Temporalities Commissioners to purchase their rent-charge in lieu of tithes, and whether it was intended to propose any change in the conditions under which rent-charge in lieu of tithes may now be purchased (under the 32nd section)? His reason for asking the Question was that it is generally understood that the progress made so far had been very slow, not more than 10 per cent of the proprietors concerned having as yet applied to purchase. As one of the proprietors he was not surprised that such should be the case. They had from the first protested against the conditions laid upon them, and although last year some modifications were made and some advantage given to them on the score of an allowance as deduction for payment of poor rate, still they hoped for yet better terms; and there was a general impression that the Government had some measure in preparation—either by the compulsory conversion of all tithe rent-charge into a Government rent-charge, to expire at a fixed time, or by some other arrangement for the purpose of expediting the proceedings of the Commissioners. As an instance of the delay which had been 832 caused by the prevailing uncertainty, he might mention that on the 19th of February, 1872, he applied to purchase a tithe rent-charge of £9 6s. 9d., and the purchase was not yet completed. It had advanced considerably, but the transaction was a very small one to extend over more than a year. He did not, however, make any charge against the Commissioners—they had had a very complicated matter to deal with. The change made in the law last year, small as it was, had interrupted their proceedings, and it was for some time uncertain what the result of their action might be; but it was now known that there would be a considerable surplus available for the advancement of learning, or for the improvement of the breed of horses or other public purpose, and he hoped to hear that some arrangement was in view to enable owners to purchase their rent-charge on more favourable conditions.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, it was quite true that only a very small number of owners in Ireland—only 4,700, which was a very small proportion—had applied for commutation under the Irish Church Act; but at present Her Majesty's Government had no intention of bringing in any measure on the subject.
§ House adjourned at half-past Five o'clock, 'till To-morrow, a quarter before Five o'clock.