33. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the unfair proportion of rates which the tithe-paid clergy are called on to bear; and is it intended to, if necessary, introduce legislation to equalise their burden of rates and taxes as com pared with other classes of the community?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Undoubtedly conditions arising out of the War press heavily on the clergy as on other classes of the community, but I am having further inquiry made.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs it not owing only to a technicality peculiar to the law affecting real property that this tithe rent-charge is taxed at all?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a very difficult and, I am afraid, a rather controversial question.
§ Mr. E. WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to extend his sympathy to a private Bill dealing with this subject and already introduced?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will, I hope, make an announcement on this subject shortly.