§ Mr. BUTLERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will constitute a, body to investigate the present incidence of tithe rentcharge pending an amelioration in agricultural prices?
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§ Sir J. GILMOURI do not see any necessity for an inquiry into the incidence of tithe rentcharge, and I am not, therefore, prepared to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
§ Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER-CLAYasked the Minister of Agriculture on what acreage the 4 per cent. tithe rentcharge on hops is levied; and what the amount of it is annually?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI presume that the 4 per cent. rentcharge to which my right hon. and gallant Friend refers is that imposed under the Extraordinary Tithe Redemption Act, 1886, not only in respect of hop grounds but also of orchards, fruit plantations and market gardens. The total amount of such rentcharge payable in England and Wales is approximately £18,500 per annum, but there are no available statistics as to the total area on which this amount is charged.