HC Deb 01 December 1908 vol 197 cc1239-40
MR. WALKER (Leicestershire, Melton)

To ask the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, with reference to John Bass's Charity at Birstall, in the County of Leicestershire, as described on pp. 367–8 of the Report of the year 1839 dealing with the charities in that county, what advantages are now obtained by the inhabitants of the place, or any of them, in regard to the pasturage of cattle, or otherwise, as contemplated in the said charity.

(Answered by Mr. Soares.) The last paragraph of the Report referred to shows that the charity had even at that time failed as to part as being void under the Mortmain Act. As to the rest, a right of of agistment for six cows, a letter was written to the vicar of the parish in 1862 inquiring whether the right was still exercised, and the Commissioners were informed in reply that it had been taken from the poor for twenty years or more before. The Commissioners have no further information about the charity.