§ 68. Mr. BARNSTONasked if the President of the Board of Agriculture will state under what Act tithe redemption is demanded by the Board in the case of small owners; why it is so demanded; and how many aggrieved persons have protested in reference to it?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe compulsory redemption of tithe rent-charge is only ordered by the Board, on the application of tithe-payers or tithe-owners, when they are satisfied that the conditions laid down by the Tithe Acts, 1860 and 1878, exist. These conditions are, in substance, that the tithe rent-charge on particular lands is so small that further sub-division is impossible, or that unreasonable difficulty and expense in collection are proved. When redemption on the application of the tithe-owner, under these conditions, is ordered, objections are in some cases received from the landowners concerned, and such objections are always carefully considered by the Board. It would be impracticable, without prolonged search, to state in how many cases such objections have been received.