§ MR. WEDGWOODI beg to ask the hon. Member for the Crewe Division, as Church Estates Commissioner, whether he has considered the advisability of substituting for the present centralised agency of Messrs. Clutton and Messrs. Smith-Gore local agents more in touch with the Commissioners' estates and with the needs of the localities.
§ MR. TOMKINSONMy experience of the question has been too short to justify an expression of any private opinion of my own, but the Commissioners do not think that a change in the system of management of their estates in the direction of decentralisation of agency would be desirable. They are satisfied, having regard to the nature and distribution of the estates and after an experience of more than fifty years that such a change would not conduce to efficiency, economy, or convenience.
§ MR. WEDGWOODWill the hon. Gentleman consult the Board of Agriculture as to the reasons which led them to 859 discard the Services of Messrs. Clutton? May not those reasons be applicable to this case?
§ MR. TOMKINSONI am quite aware of the circumstances under which the connection between the Board of Agricul-and Messrs. Clutton terminated. It has been and still is matter for consideration.