§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many small farmers in Suffolk and other parts of the country are being summoned for non-payment of tithe when, owing to a bad year in 1937 and the prospects of a bad year in 1938, they are on the verge of bankruptcy; and whether, in view of the fact that their consequent failure to farm the land would be a serious loss to agriculture, he will take steps to assist them by the alleviation of tithe payments?
§ Captain Wallace:I have been asked to reply. I am aware that applications have been made to the County Court for the recovery of the arrears referred to. The Tithe Act, 1936, provided a considerable measure of alleviation for land-owners liable for arrears of tithe rentcharge or for redemption annuities. There is no 2422W power to grant any further measure of alleviation in respect of those payments.