§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Attorney General whether Her Majesty's Government will bring in a Bill authorising the directors of public companies liable to be 882 assessed for rates in any parish or district to pay Voluntary School rates levied therein, if it shall appear that the levy of a compulsory rate will be obviated thereby?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER,) Isle of WightIn reply to the Question of my right hon. Friend, upon the information at present at my disposal, I do not think there is any necessity to bring in a Bill. Unless an express prohibition is contained in the Act of Parliament or other document constituting the company, the question of contribution to a voluntary rate is purely a matter for the discretion of the directors acting in the interests of the company, and if, as stated in the Question, it appeared that the levying of a compulsory rate which might create a heavier burden would be avoided by contribution to a voluntary rate, I see no reason why the directors should not, in the bonâ fide exercise of their discretion, contribute to a voluntary rate.