§ MR. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the right hon. Member for Oxford University, as Ecclesiastical Commissioner, whether, in the case of a landowner paying to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England and Wales the tithe rent-charge in respect of several tenants, who are under existing contracts bound to repay such amounts to him, the Commissioners have instructed their tithe receivers to refuse to give the landowner separate receipts in respect of each tenant's tithe rent-charge; and whether, having regard to the serious difficulty of the landowner being able under such circumstances to satisfy each separate tenant that the amount of such tithe rent-charge is justly due, and which amount, through the effect of the corn averages, varies every year, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners still intend to adhere to their resolution not to give separate receipts?
§ * SIR J. R. MOWBRAY (Oxford University)The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have not instructed their receivers to refuse to give separate receipts to landowners in respect of each tenant's tithe rent-charge; but, on the contrary, the receivers have been directed to give every facility to landowners by furnishing as many receipts as may be required. If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any case, such as was suggested in his question, the matter will be investigated.
§ MR. MORTONMay I ask whether the right hon. Member is aware that the 347 Secretary has written a letter refusing to give separate receipts?
§ * SIR J. R. MOWBRAYNo, Sir; I am not aware of it. The Secretary has given me the information which I have given the hon. Member, and we cannot trace any case of the kind at all within the record or knowledge of anyone.
§ MR. MORTONHas not the right hon. Member got the letter?
§ * SIR J. R. MOWBRAYNo.