§ MR. HERMON-HODGE (Oxfordshire, Henley)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the assessment of tithe rent-charge, assessment committees are entitled to refuse to deduct under the head of Usual Tenants Rates that part of the rate which is now paid by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL, Tyrone, S.)Some inquiries on this subject have been addressed to the Local Government Board, but they have no authority to decide questions relating to the assessment of property, and it is their practice not to advise with regard to them. They have accordingly declined to answer questions on the particular point referred to. It is really a matter for the Courts to decide, and under the 1099 circumstances, my hon. friend will see that I should be ill-advised in expressing any opinion upon it.