Sitting of 1 February 1817

TITHES.
Mr. Saville,seeing the right hon. the chancellor of the exchequer in his place, adverted to the proceedings which were had last session, touching the general laws relating to the present mode of collecting tithes, and wished to know whether it was the right hon. gentleman's intention to bring this subject again under the consideration of parliament during this session. The hon. gentleman said, that being prevented from attendance in the House during the discussions alluded to, he was not precisely aware in what situation this important question stood, and he was therefore desirous of knowing the intentions of the right hon. gentleman upon the subject.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerreferred the hon. gentleman to the Journals of the House for an account of the state of the proceedings upon this matter at the close of the last session. The committee, to whom the subject had been referred, had made a report and it was probable that that report might be brought under the consideration of the House this session.
Mr. Savillesaid, that as the right hon. gentleman could give no other assurance than a probability, he did not think the matter ought to rest upon such uncertain grounds; and, therefore, unless some member, more able than himself, would have the goodness to bring the subject forward, he gave notice, that soon after the Easter recess, he should feel it to be his duty to bring this interesting question forward. He could not forbear mentioning, that in that part of the country where his own property was situated, there was a lay and a clerical proprietor of tithes, each of whom had a claim upon the land occupier; in consequence of which, his property was scarcely worth holding; and, considering the extent of this evil in various parts of the country, it was of vital importance that the subject should be speedily brought under the attention of parliament.