§ Mr. H. JONESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a commission of 5 per cent., and in some cases a higher rate, is being paid for the collection of tithe under the Welsh Church Act, 1914; and whether, in view of the financial position of the Church Commissioners and the comparative ease with which tithe is collected, steps will be taken to reduce the cost of collection?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am aware that hitherto a commission of 5 per cent. has been paid, and 6½ per cent. in the urban areas of the Cardiff collection. I am informed that the condition of the tithe rentals handed over to the Commissioners, the fact that tithe collection generally is based on maps and apportionments created between 1836 and 1848, and 299W the general breaking up of large estates during recent years, have made the collection of tithe rent charge a difficult matter, and the Commissioners had to obtain the most expert assistance they could find. The Commissioners are continually giving the matter their attention and have, in fact, already made arrangements under which the rate of commission paid throughout the greater part of North Wales shall in future be only 4 per cent.
§ Mr. JONESasked the. Home Secretary whether a communication has been addressed to every local authority to which a burial ground is transferable under the Welsh Church Act, 1914, inquiring whether the authority is prepared to accept such transfer; whether any local authorities have declined; and, if so, will he furnish the names of such authorities?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo such communication has been addressed to local authorities generally. In the following cases, where transfer of a burial ground has been proposed, the local authority has declined to accept, namely; Llangattock-Lingoed, Boughrood, and Llanddarog.