HC Deb 04 December 1912 vol 44 cc2294-5
78. Mr. KING

asked what are the amounts of income arising annually out of old endowments, previous to 1662, of the Established Church in Wales for clergy in the boroughs of Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport (Mon.); and what amount per annum such sum represents in each case per head of population?

Mr. McKENNA

The gross income from ancient endowments prior to 1703 in Newport amounts to £336 per annum. The population of the parishes comprised amounted in 1901 to 67,198. The amount per annum represents a little over one penny per head of the population. The gross income from ancient endowments in Cardiff (with a population in 1901 of 164,300) amounts to £572, representing considerably less than one penny per head. I am unable to give the gross amount of endowments for the borough of Swansea, but for nine parishes, with a population of 72,725, it amounted to £142—that is, less than one. Half penny per head of the population.

Mr. KING

Is that sum per head of the population all that the clergy receive in those parishes at the present time?

Mr. McKENNA

Nearly all the clergy in the principal towns in Wales are almost entirely supported by voluntary contributions.

Mr. KING

Then they will not be utterly ruined by the Welsh Disestablishment Bill?

Mr. McKENNA

Oh, no!

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member had better wait until the proper time.