HC Deb 10 July 1890 vol 346 cc1299-301
MR. STUART RENDEL (Montgomeryshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in the course of the last three years, the total number of distraints for the tithe rent-charge in the county of Montgomery amounts to 122; whether, in any of those cases any of the parties concerned have acted in any way beyond their legal rights; whether he is aware that the total number of sales under distraints for tithe during the same period in the same county is 43; and whether at any of these sales there has been any breach of the peace, and whether, in the carrying on of the sales any expense whatever has been thrown upon the County Authorities?

MR. MATTHEWS

I am informed by the Chief Constable that the number of distraints and of sales under distraints have been as stated. There has been no breach of the peace at any of these distraints or sales, and the county has incurred no expense whatever.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the statement of the Chief Constable of Denbighshire, made before the Joint Police Standing Committee, has been brought to his notice; whether it is true that rioting has occurred in North Wales, and the agents distraining for tithe rent-charge have been prevented from carrying out their legal duties; whether 300 farms remain to be visited, and whether in the Chief Constable's opinion he has not sufficient force to protect the agents; whether his attention has been called to the recommendation of the Chief Constable that Hussars should be called in for their protection, and to the fact that Mr. Stevens, acting on behalf of the Ex-Commissioners, has been put in fear of his life, the people threatening to kill him and all his party; and whether, under these circumstances, the Government are prepared to take precautionary measures for the preservation of order in the disturbed districts?

*THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

The only information on the alleged facts I have, is derived from a newspaper report, as to the accuracy of which I cannot give an opinion. It is the duty of the authorities charged with the preservation of the peace to see that proper steps are taken to prevent disturbance and to secure that process of the law duly issued is carried into effect. The nature of the steps to be taken and the precautions to be used must rest with the judgment of the authorities, and Her Majesty's Government cannot undertake, in answer to an abstract question, to say what measures should be taken.

MR. STUART RENDEL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been directed to the difference in the experience during the last few years of the Head Constables of Montgomeryshire and Denbighshire in collecting tithes?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

I should not like to draw any invidious distinction between public servants who are performing valuable services. I may say, however, that I am informed that the tithe has been collected in Montgomeryshire in a manner which reflects credit on those concerned, and that the Chief Constable has exercised remarkable discretion in the discharge of his duties in connection with the maintenance of the law. I trust that like results may attend the due exercise of similar functions in Denbighshire.