* MR. CARVELL WILLIAMSI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether the East Preston (Sussex) Guardians have inquired of the Board whether they can legally vote money out of the rates as a contribution to a voluntary church rate; and, if so, what reply has been given to the inquiry.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRYCHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordThe Guardians of the East Preston Union informed the Board of their proposal to make an annual contribution to the voluntary church rate fund in the parish where the inmates of the workhouse attend divine service. The Board informed the Guardians that, if in a voluntary church rate a sum was assessed on them in respect of property in their occupation, they were empowered to pay the amount by Section 7 of the 31& 32 Vict. cap. 109. The Board added that if the sum proposed to be paid was not really a church rate, but a reasonable payment to enable the Guardians to secure accommodation in the church for the inmates of the workhouse, the Board consider that the payment might be made without any sanction on their part.
* MR. CARVELL WILLIAMSasked if the President of the Local Government Board would allow him to have a copy of the communication sent to the Board?
§ MR. CHAPLINYes, Sir.