§ MR. J. G. TALBOT (Oxford University)On behalf of the noble Lord the honourable Member for Rochester, I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to make 672 any proposal to Parliament in order to carry out the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation that immediate relief should be given to owners of tithe rent-charge not severed from the benefice pending a complete settlement of the rating question?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.My right honourable Friend requests me to answer this Question. The Government do intend to make a proposal to Parliament on the subject, but the decision as to what the precise terms of the proposal shall be is not rendered more easy by the fact that the Royal Commission have not made any recommendation as to the means by which what is universally admitted to be a grievance should be remedied.
§ MR. LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)Can my right honourable Friend say whether the Government proposes to give any relief in the case of tithe rent-charge or funds applied to scholastic or hospital purposes?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI think perhaps any Questions as to the details of the Government proposal should be deferred until the Measure is produced.