§ Sir JOHN ROLLESTONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is within his knowledge that a portion of a farm belonging to the Blaby glebe lands, in the county of Leicester, the Rev. Frederick Hedley Joscelyne being the incumbent, was sold during the last year for £3,055 15s., and that the purchase money was paid to the Board on 9th November last; whether he is aware that rent from Michaelmas last is receivable by the purchaser, and that the purchase money was only invested by the Board on the 5th December in India 3½ per Cents. just after the payment of dividend, thereby causing the loss of a quarter's interest to the incumbent, which, as he is receiving no rent for September, causes him serious loss; and whether he will compensate him, as the loss was largely caused by the failure to effect a prompt investment of the purchase money by the Board of Agriculture?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy attention was first called to the transaction in question by a letter from Mr. Joscelyne, dated 13th December last., and I immediately inquired carefully into the circumstances. The receipt of the purchase money was notified to the Board on 13th November, and the interval between that date and the purchase of the India 3½ per cent. Stock was occupied in settlement of the valuers' and solicitors' charges and in correspondence with the incumbent respecting the stock in which the money should be invested. I am satisfied that there was no avoidable delay on the part of the Board, and I have no power to1426W compensate Mr. Joscelyne for the lass of the dividend. I may perhaps be allowed to point out that Mr. Joscelyne's present loss is the benefice's permanent gain.