§ 46. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider introducing legislation to alter the present basis of endowment of the English Church and place the whole responsibility of its maintenance upon the members of that 2009 Church, in order to free agriculture from the burdens now put upon it and so enable increased food production in the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I would remind the hon. Member that legislation is now before the House designed to relieve agriculturists who are also tithe-payers.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the Prime Minister aware that if the responsibility for maintaining the English Church were placed on its members, there would be more churches closed in this country than is the case in Russia?
§ Mr. TURTONWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that agriculture was the greatest problem of the Soviet system?