MR. PACKEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, When the Return of Parishes in which Church Rates have ceased to be collected [Addressed for on the 25th day of January, 1860] will be laid upon the Table?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, the House would probably recollect that last Session an Act had been passed giving the Secretary of State the power of obtaining a general Return of all Local Rates, embracing Church Rates. Formal papers had been sent out to all the parishes under the provisions of that Act, and the information which would thus be acquired would be more comprehensive than any that had yet been obtained in this country. The Returns were at present coming in, and he hoped he should be able to present them before the end of the Session.