§ 67. Captain KNATCHBULLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that when the par value of tithe was fixed under the Act of 1836 the basis was wheat at 56s. a quarter, and that the Government now proposes to regard 45s. a quarter as a fair price to the wheat-grower, the Government will consider proposals to reduce the amount of tithe payable in a similar proportion to the above?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe sum payable in respect of tithe rentcharge was stabilised at its present value of £105 per cent. by the Tithe Act, 1925, after very careful consideration by Parliament of all relevant facts. In these circumstances the Government is not prepared to consider the re-opening of the matter.
§ Sir W. WAYLANDDoes not my right hon. Friend acknowledge that conditions have very much changed since that time, that wheat is, as has been stated, at a very much higher price, and that many of the tithe payers are now paying in tithe a larger amount than the rents that their holdings or farms will fetch?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt must not be forgotten that had the Act not been passed in 1925, they would have been paying considerably higher sums, ranging from £147 down to £109 per cent.