§ 70. Mr. KEDWARDasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres of agricultural land which carry a tithe rent-charge of more than 5s. per acre?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONI regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.
§ Mr. KEDWARDMay I ask whether any steps can be taken to procure this information, which is of vital interest to the agricultural community at the present time?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am told that to give in detail these particular specifications would involve the employment of a large staff and the result would not be commensurate with the expense.
§ 72. Mr. KEDWARDasked the Minister of Agriculture what approximately will be the capitalised sum of tithe rent-charge in the hands of Queen Anne's Bounty at the expiration of 85 years; and what control Parliament will have, if any, over this money?
§ Mr. BUXTONAs regards the first part of the question, it is not possible for me to give, even approximately, the information asked for by the hon. Member, in view of the variations that may be expected to occur in the prices of the securities in which Queen Anne's Bounty 600 is authorised to invest its sinking fund for the extinguishment of tithe rent-charge; as regards the second part of the question, the accounts of Queen Anne's Bounty are laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. KEDWARDMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will take steps to ascertain and publish this important information; and whether the Government are considering suspending the operation of this fund until the constitutional question which has arisen—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question down.
§ 73. Mr. KEDWARDasked the Minister of Agriculture by what amount tithe rent-charge is in arrear at the present time; the number of tithe payers proceeded against in the County Courts since the 1925 Tithe Act was passed; and whether any land has been taken over by Queen Anne's Bounty because of non-payment of tithe rent-charges?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe Ministry has no jurisdiction in regard to the collection of annual tithe rent-charge by the tithe-owners, and I am unable to supply the information asked for in the first and second parts of the question; as regards the third part of the question, I understand that Queen Anne's Bounty has taken over certain areas of abandoned land for the reason stated by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. KEDWARDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that very great dissatisfaction exists to-day among the agricultural community in reference to this matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat has not been brought to my notice.