§ Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary how many benefices affected by the Welsh Church (Postponement) Bill were vacant immediately before 18th September, 1914; how many were vacant on the 18th September, 1914; how many have become vacant since 18th September, 1914, otherwise than upon the nomination or appointment of the holder thereof to another ecclesiastical office in the Church in Wales; and what is the average number taken for the last seven years of vacancies otherwise than upon similar nomination or appointment?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe information required is not in my possession, and I am sorry I am unable to comply with my hon. Friend's request.
§ Mr. KINGasked the hon. Member for Doncaster, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if he will state the 219W amount at which the tithe rent-charge included in the Endowments of the Church in Wales prior to 1662 was commuted?
§ Sir CHARLES NICHOLSONIn appendix A to the Report (1910) of the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales the tithe rent-charge belonging to Parochial Benefices and described as "Endowment believed to have existed prior to 1703" was stated to be £157,573 per annum (commuted amount). I have no information as to the amount that may have been transferred to benefices between the years 1662 and 1703. In addition there has been annexed to benefices by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners tithe rent-charge of the commuted amount of £24,837 per annum, and the tithe rent-charge still belonging to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and derived from preferments of the Church in Wales is of the commuted amount of £30,255 per annum. There may in addition be some small amount belonging to cathedral corporations.