§ MR. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the right hon. Member for Oxford University, as an Ecclesiastical Commissioner, whether he has now made inquiries and seen a letter, signed E. David, Williams, and David, who describe themselves as receivers of tithe for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of England at Llandaff, for the Parish of Llanthew, Brecon; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the Rule of the Commissioners, that separate receipts are to be given whenever required, is adhered to by all their agents?
§ SIR JOHN R. MOWBRAY (Oxford University)In answer to a question from the hon. Member on 31st March, I stated that the receivers of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had been directed by them to give every facility to landowners by furnishing as many separate receipts in respect of each tithe rent-charge as might be required; but I promised the hon. Member, if he 976 would furnish particulars of any case such as was suggested in his question, the matter should be investigated. The hon. Member has since furnished me with a copy of the letter referred to in his present question, in which Messrs. David, Williams and David, while applying for payment of tithe rent-charge due to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and describing themselves as receivers, declined to furnish separate receipts for each tenant. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have investigated the matter, and regret to find that such a letter should have been written, which was entirely contrary to their instructions and unknown to their receivers. The writers of the letter, Messrs. David, Williams, and David, are a local firm of surveyors at Cardiff, who have been employed by Messrs. Clutton, but they are not nominated or appointed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, or authorised by them to act on their behalf. Messrs. Clutton are the receivers of the Commissioners for that district, and the Commissioners hold them accountable for all acts of persons employed by them. The attention of Messrs. Clutton has been specially called to the circumstances of this case, and orders have been issued which will ensure that the rule of the Commissioners, that separate receipts are to be given whenever required, shall be adhered to by all their agents.