HC Deb 12 June 1896 vol 41 cc965-6
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, if his attention has been called to the judgment of Mr. Commissioner O'Brien as to the action of the Treasury as to the redemption of tithe rent-charge; and, whether, as Mr. Commissioner O'Brien states, the application purporting to have been made by the Land Commission to the Treasury to reduce the redemption price was sent at the instance of a single Commissioner and without consulting the entire body, the Treasury will reconsider the matter; if not, will the Treasury also reduce the interest paid by the Church Fund to the National Debt Commissioners, which varies from 3½ to 3¼ per cent?

MR. HANBURY

I have seen a newspaper report of this Judgment. The Treasury acted in the matter on a recommendation made in an official letter signed in the usual way by the Secretary to the Land Commission, and written by direction of the Land Commissioners. The Treasury have, therefore, no reason to suppose that the application came from one Commissioner only, and they obviously could not reconsider the decision except upon another similar official letter. As regards the last sentence, the rates of interest are payable under old contracts made with the Savings Banks Funds, which have not yet expired.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked if the right hon. Gentleman intended to leave such an important question, which resulted in a loss of £10,000 a year, unsettled?

MR. HANBURY

said, as he had explained, that the Treasury acted on an official letter from the Land Commission.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked if the letter from the Land Commission stated that the agreement was arrived at by a majority?

MR. HANBURY

said it was an ordinary official letter signed by the Secretary of the Commission, and purporting to give the opinion of the Commissioners.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would have any objection to lay the letter on the Table, together with the letter of the Treasury in reply?

MR. HANBURY

said he could not answer that now.

MR. JOHN DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked if it were not the fact that the Treasury had on more than one occasion refused the application of the Land Commission to make these abatements, and whether the right hon. Gentleman would lay on the Table the Treasury Minute on the subject of three or four years ago together with the previous correspondence?

MR. HANBURY

That is a separate Question, of which notice should be given.