MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the doubt existing as to the interpretation of Clause 16, Section 8, in the Local Government Act of 1894, which deals with the custody of parish documents; whether he will state whether a tithe-map would according to that section, be a document directed by law to be kept with the public books, writings, and papers of the parish; and, whether the Local Government Board have given any legal opinion to parish councils upon the question referred to?
§ MR. CHAPLINI am aware that questions have arisen with regard to 1552 the custody of documents under Subsection (8) of Section 17 of the Local Government Act 1894. The Act contemplated that this would be the case, and has provided that any questions as to such custody shall be determined by the County Council. The Local Government Board have no jurisdiction to determine questions as regards the tithe-map, and it has been their practice to inform parish councils to this effect. I am advised that tithe-maps are under the Tithe Commutation Act 1886, to be kept "with the public books, writings, and papers of the parish," and the subsection to which I have referred requires therefore, that they shall either remain in their existing custody or be deposited in such custody as the parish council may direct.