§ 81. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the grave hardships accruing, to the ratepayers in many parishes from the relief afforded to the clergy by the Ecclesiastical Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act; and whether he will approach the Treasury with a view to securing a special grant to meet the burden imposed by the Act?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)Yes, Sir. I have had brought to my notice the fact that in a few exceptional cases the addition to the poundage on the rates resulting from the passing of the Ecclesiastical Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act has been considerable. In the great majority of parishes, however, the relief given to ecclesiastical titheowners by the Act has raised only to a slight extent the amount of rates to be paid by other ratepayers. These results were, I think, fully recognised by this House when the Bill was under consideration last year, and I regret I am unable in present circumstances to see my way to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of my hon. Friend's question. The matter will, however, be borne in mind in connection with any proposals which may be made for dealing with the whole question of local rating.