§ 81. Mr. ISAAC FOOTasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has 1111 been in communication with the National Farmers' Union and the Central Landowners' Association upon the subject of tithe; what representations have been made to him; and if it is the intention of the Government to lay any proposals before the House in relation to this matter?
§ 82. Sir FRANCIS ACLANDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as the result of representations made to him during the Parliamentary Recess on the subject of the present hardships of tithe payers, he has been able to advise tithe owners to meet the position, and will therefore be bringing fresh proposals be fore Parliament?
§ Major GEORGE DAVIES (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. At the request of the National Farmers' Union and the Central Landowners' Association, my right hon. Friend recently received deputations who represented to him the difficulties which agricultural landowners are experiencing at the present time in meeting their liabilities in regard to tithe rentcharge. They put forward requests for the introduction of amending legislation increasing the statutory remission obtainable under the Tithe Act, 1891, and for an inquiry into the whole question of tithe rentcharge. My right hon. Friend has also received a deputation from representatives of tithe owners who placed their views before him, and while, as indicated in the reply given on 13th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne), he is keeping the whole matter under consideration, he is not in a position to make any further statement on the subject at present.
§ Mr. FOOTCan representations be made to the right hon. Gentleman, having regard to the disturbance and anxiety that exist throughout the agricultural parts of this country, that some decision or proposal should be made early in the new Session?
§ Major DAVIESI will convey to my right hon. Friend what the hon. Member says.