22 MAY 1936, Page 3

A Tithe-Bill Concession The Government on Tuesday made a wise

concession to critics of its Tithe Bill. In the debate on the second reading of the Bill. Lord Hugh Cecil and Mr. Denman both pointed out the loss and possible suffering which the Bill might inflict on incumbents whose livelihood depends almost entirely on tithe payments. Mr. Denman, in an able speech, contrasted these losses with the con- siderable capital gains which the Bill will give to large landowners. The Government has wisely recognised the force of these arguments. The Bill itself only gave protection against loss to incumbents with less than £500 a year, but the Government's amendment will extend this protection, without any extra charge to tithe payer or taxpayer, to all present incumbents during their lifetime. The generosity is just and judicious.