HC Deb 20 June 1853 vol 128 cc471-2

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

The LORD ADVOCATE

said, in proposing a Resolution to enable him to bring in a Bill with regard to it, he must explain that the object of the measure was to settle a most vexatious question regarding the payment of the Edinburgh clergy. Whether rightly or wrongly, the fact was that agitation and irritation with regard to the collection of this tax had long prevailed to an extent that was most injurious not only to the peace but to the best interests of the Church and religion in Edinburgh. Without going generally into the provisions of the Bill, he thought it would be enough to say that he did not propose to pay the money out of the Consolidated Fund, but merely that the city of Edinburgh should make certain payments into the Exchequer, and that corresponding payments should be made out of the Consolidated Fund.

MR. COWAN

said, that nobody would rejoice more than he should if the expectations of the right hon. and learned Lord should be fulfilled by the passing of the Bill which he was about to introduce; but, at the same time, he could not help expressing his surprise at the mystery which the promoters of the Bill had kept up with regard to it, for, although he was one of the representatives of Edinburgh, it was not until within the last few days that the parties had thought fit to communicate their intentions to him. He wished to know whether the right hon. and learned Lord intended to make any statement to the House in explanation of the provisions of the Bill?

The LORD ADVOCATE

said, that it would not be necessary to make any such statement till the second reading. He also wished to remark that the Government were quite open to receive any suggestions for the improvement of the Bill.

MR. APSLEY PELLATT

said, he wanted to know whether this was not a church rate transferred to the Imperial Treasury?

The LORD ADVOCATE

said, that this annuity tax was a charge imposed upon the occupiers of houses within certain districts of the city of Edinburgh. The amount of the tax was about 6 per cent, and it had given rise to a great deal of bad feeling. It was proposed by the Bill he wished to introduce to apply certain ecclesiastical revenues in the hands of the Crown, which were now employed in maintaining sinecure offices called Deaneries of the Chapel Royal, to the payment of this tax; but until that could be done a rate of 1 per cent (as we understood) would be charged upon the inhabitants of Edinburgh. Eventually, however, the ministers of the city of Edinburgh who received aid from this tax would obtain their stipends, not from the occupiers who now paid the amount, but from the Consolidated Fund, and the charge upon that fund would be made up from the source he had mentioned.

Resolved— That it is expedient to amend the Acts relating to the City of Edinburgh and Parish of Canongate Annuity Tax, and of providing for the payment by the City of Edinburgh of certain sums into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the Stipends of the Ministers of the said City and Parish, and for the payment of the said Stipends out of the said Consolidated Fund.

Resolution to be reported on Wednesday.

House resumed.