THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYMy Lords, I rise to move to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Tithe (Administration of 1416 Trusts) Measure, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent. This is an exceedingly simple but an exceedingly important matter for the clergy. Queen Anne's Bounty practically has the collection and the payment of the tithes throughout the country now, and difficulty has been found on technical grounds about paying the tithe at the proper quarters. This Measure has been introduced to give powers to the Queen Anne's Bounty to borrow money from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to equalise the periods of payment and meet the difficulties of the clergy. There is no opposition, as far as I am aware, to the Measure, and the Ecclesiastical Committee did consider it and recommended its adoption. I can explain the details if necessary, but they are very technical, and I doubt whether your Lordships would really desire it. I beg to move.
§ Moved to resolve, That in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919, this House do direct that the Tithe (Administration of Trusts) Measure, be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent.—(The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.)
§ LORD PARMOORMy Lords, I should like to say a word about what his Grace has stated. I have carefully gone through the provisions of the Bill, which deals with a matter with which I am familiar. What his Grace has said is true; the purpose of the Measure is to enable the incumbents to have their tithe income more conveniently paid and I hope it will be unanimously assented to.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.