§ MR. D. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant the Return, standing on the Paper this day, relating to the revenues of the Church in Wales?
§ MR. ASQU1THI find that no modern information is available as to the ownership of impropriate tithe rent-charge, and that the collection of such information would be a very long and difficult task. I must point out that the proper allocation of ecclesiastical revenue, after the passing of the Bill for the disestablishment of the Church in Wales, could not be shown in the form of a Return at the present time, the settlement of such allocation being one of the functions of the Commissioners to be appointed under the Bill. In these circumstances, I cannot grant the Return for which the hon. Member asks. I have, however, ascertained that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners will be able, "within a reasonable period, to furnish a Return, by parishes and counties, of the property of the Church in Wales in glebe, in tithe rent-charge, and from other sources; and if my hon. Friend will put on the Paper a Motion for a Return in that form, I shall be happy to assent to it, and it will be prepared with as little delay as possible.