§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is the fact that landed proprietors in Ireland, whose incomes have been largely reduced, in numerous cases by one-half, by the Land Commission, are still required to pay the full tithe rent-charge fixed on their unreduced rentals; and, if so, whether the Government intend taking measures to regulate this charge to the reduced rentals?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareIt is a fact that landed proprietors in Ireland are still required to pay the full tithe rent-charge on their estates. The Government cannot admit that tithe rent charge, which is a first charge on the land having priority over all others, should be regulated in proportion to rent. The question of charges on Irish land generally is one of much delicacy and complexity, but it is one on which I could express no opinion until I felt sure that such opinion could be followed by legislation.