§ 24. Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the Home Secretary whether any applications have been made to the Welsh Commissioners since 18th March last by lay patrons or others for compensation in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Church Act, 1914; whether the Commissioners have given any decisions as to the validity of claims for compensation made by individuals, by colleges in the University of Oxford, by the Simeon Trustees, or by the trustees of the Church Patronage Society; and, if so, how many claims so made have been sustained and how many rejected?
§ Sir J. SIMONOne claim in respect of one living has been received by the Commissioners since the 18th March, 1915. They have also received a communication with reference to a possible claim in respect of three other livings. As regards claims lodged within the six months, as prescribed by Section 16 (of which particulars were given on the 27th April, in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for the Eifion Division of Carnarvonshire) the Commissioners have been proceeding with the investigation of titles; but they have not so far given decisions as to the validity of any of these claims.