§ 14. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether any actuarial estimate has been made of the loss or gain to the Welsh Church by the provisions of Clause 2 of the Welsh Church (Postponement) Bill; if not, whether such an estimate will be obtained and published before the Bill is taken on Second Reading; and, if such estimate has been already made, whether he will communicate it to the House?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. My hon. Friend will recognise that in order to arrive at an actuarial estimate of the kind suggested it would be necessary to know the duration of the War, on which the length of the suspensory period depends, and also to know the value of tithe on the date of Disestablishment. As no estimate of these factors can be formed, I am afraid anything like an actuarial calculation is impossible.
§ Mr. KINGWould it not be possible to take dates which may be approximately probable dates? For instance, say, a year from the start of the War, and also to give another actuarial calculation for two years after. Will the right hon. Gentleman do this with a view to our understanding what is going to be the effect of the Welsh Church (Postponement) Bill?
§ Mr. McKENNAI could endeavour to meet my hon. Friend by a calculation up to a date which has actually passed. I could give him, for instance, a calculation covering the first six months under 37 ordinary circumstances, showing what I would have been the effect had the Bill become operative. I do not think I can go beyond that.
§ Mr. KINGIf I put down an unstarred question may I have that calculation within a reasonable time—before the Bill comes on?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will endeavour to oblige my hon. Friend.