§ MR. PIRIEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, seeing that the Tithe Rent - charge (Rates) Bill could only be delivered in Scotland on Saturday, 24th instant, thus only giving one day for its consideration in that country before the date proposed by the Government for the Second Reading Debate, and that the interest taken by Scotland in the measure is very great, he could see his way to give further time for consideration of the measure by deferring the proposed date for Second Reading from the 27th instant.
§ SIR J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)Before the First Lord of the Treasury answers the question on the Paper, I wish to ask whether it is not the case that in Scotland parish ministers do not pay any rates on their stipends.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy right hon. friend is perfectly right in his statement that in Scotland parish ministers pay no rates upon the teinds. As regards the question on the Paper, this is not a Bill which applies to Scotland, nor is Scotland asked to pay any of the money which will go in relief of the rates of the clergy
§ MR. STRACHEY (Somerset, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will grant a Return showing 607 the loss that will accrue to each administrative county and county borough under the Tithe Rent-charge (Rates) Bill.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURWe do not, I beg to say in reply to the hon. Member, acknowledge that any loss will accrue to any administrative county under the Tithe Rent-charge (Rates) Bill.