MR.HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a charge of 2s. 6d. is made by rectors to parishioners for the inspection of tithe maps kept in their custody; and whether the tithe map being one of the public books, papers, and writings of the parish, any such charge can be made for its inspection under Clause 17, Sub-section 8 of the Local Government Act 1894?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL, Tyrone, S.)The Tithe Act 1836 provides, by Section 64, that persons interested shall have access to the award—which includes the map—"on reasonable notice to the person having custody of the same, and on payment of 2s. 6d. for each inspection." The Local Government Board have no jurisdiction to determine questions of this character; but they arc advised that if the award and map are in the custody of the rector of the parish, he is entitled to charge this fee for each inspection.