§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the. Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the return of sales of corn was compulsory under the Act of 1882 to obtain the average prices for the computation of tithes; and whether he will now abolish these returns, as tithes are fixed under the Tithes Act, 1925?
§ Captain BOWYERI have been asked to reply. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Corn Returns Act, 1882, was not passed mainly for the purpose of obtaining average prices for the computation of Tithe Rent Charge, but authorised the continuance of a system of collecting corn prides which had been in existence in one form or another since 1771. The prices thus obtained are still required for the purpose of determining annual payments to be made under various Acts. They are also of the greatest value for statistical purposes, inasmuch as they constitute one of the few series of prices extending over the last century. My right hon. Friend regrets therefore that he cannot see his way to accede to my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.