HC Deb 17 March 1892 vol 2 cc1048-9
MR. COBB

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Exeter, as a Charity Commissioner, whether he is aware that although the Charity Commissioners have, since 4th March, 1891, repeatedly stated that it appeared to be clear that the Trustees of James Thompson's Charity were entitled to be paid a sum of £45 which had been lent by their predecessors some years ago to the churchwardens as Trustees of the Church Estate, and that interest should be paid thereon in priority to any payments towards the current expenses of the church, no payment has yet been made; whether any application has been received by the Commissioners in reply to their letter of 4th March, 1891, in which they expressed their willingness to consider the expediency of establishing a scheme for the future income of the charity, upon receiving an application from the vicar and parish officers; whether the accounts of the Charity for the past year have yet been furnished; and whether, having regard to the continued delay and neglect, and to the near approach of the time for the Easter Vestry, the Commissioners will make a strong representation to the vicar, churchwardens, and overseers, and if necessary direct a local inquiry to be held?

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE (Exeter)

The sum of £45 referred to, forming the capital of James Thompson's Charity at Hillmorton, in the County of Warwick, was lent in or about the year 1822 by the Trustees of that Charity to the Trustees of the Church Estate in that parish, and has not yet been repaid. Interest upon the loan has been regularly paid, though not always at the stipulated rate of 5 per cent. The Commissioners have now received a letter, dated the 1st instant, from the parish churchwarden, expressing his willingness to adopt the suggestion made last year by the Commissioners that the principal should be repaid by yearly instalments. The Trustees of James Thompson's Charity have invited the Commissioners to suggest a scheme for the future application of the income of the Charity. The last accounts, for the year ending 30th March 1891, were received on the following day. In the present aspect of the case the Commissioners do not consider that a local inquiry is necessary.