§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (&c.) Kirkcaldy,asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, considering that the following sums (as stated by the Secretary to the Treasury) are now charged on the Irish Church Fund—
and considering the great depreciation of landed property in Ireland and elsewhere, he can hold out any reasonable hope that the Irish Church Fund is solvent and able to bear both, existing guaranteed liabilities and any other liabilities which may be imposed on it by Acts already passed or now submitted to Parliament by Her Majesty's Government, so as to avoid the imposition of a burden on the taxpayers of the Country under the guarantee?
£ Loans outstanding 7,603,044 In Teachers' Superannuation Fund 1,300,000 Royal University £20,000 per per annum capital value, say 600,000 Total about £9,500,000
THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER)(who replied) (Wolverhampton, E.)said: The income of the Church Fund, although there have been several bad years since the Disestablishment took place, 1312 has hitherto provided regularly for the charge imposed upon it, a large proportion of which consists of the Terminable Annuity, by which the debt is being gradually repaid, and a considerable margin has been left for further redemption of debt. These remarks apply to the year which has just expired. I am, therefore, justified in saying that, in the opinion of the Treasury, the Church Fund is solvent.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked whether, in answering the Question, the hon. Gentleman had regard to all obligations under the existing Act of Parliament?
§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLERsaid, the Fund was solvent in reference to the liabilities already imposed upon it; but he could not say anything about the future.