Sir D. J. Norreyssaid, he had given notice of his intention to put a question to the right hon. Baronet the Secretary for Ireland, with respect to the valuation for the purposes of assessment in Ireland. He wished to be informed whether that system, which had been denounced as inapplicable to Ireland, was to be persisted in; or whether it was intended to continue the tenement valuation now in progress, in pursuance of the recommendation of a Committee of the House of Commons; or whether, as there appeared to be a difference of opinion on the subject between that House and certain noble Lords in the other House, as to the principle on which that valuation should be conducted, it would not be better to stop the progress of the valuation altogether, until both Houses should be able to concur as to the principle, rather than to continue an expense which might afterwards turn out to be useless?
§ Sir T. Fremantlemuch regretted that the Valuation Bill for Ireland had been rejected by the House of Lords; the only consolation, however, which he derived under the circumstances was, that it had been decently interred. It was, no doubt, difficult to devise a principle of valuation which should be applicable to all purposes of local assessment, and be, at the same time, satisfactory to all parties. He had hoped that that object would have been accomplished by the Bill of the present Session, but unfortunately that Bill had failed. He had at present no doubt that he should have to bring the question again under the consideration of Parliament in the ensuing Session; but it would be at present premature to offer any opinion as to the principle upon which the proposed measure should proceed. As far, however, as he could now speak, he should say that his recommendation would be, that, relying on the decision of the Committee of the House of Commons, and recollecting that a Bill embodying that decision had already passed the House of Commons, and had been carried up to the Lords, and was there rejected almost wholly on account of the late period of the Session at which it was sent up, the principle of the Bill of the present Session should 1449 be adopted. And with regard to the valuation now in progress, he thought the Government would be justified in giving orders to Mr. Griffiths, that any surveys made in the interim should be as extensive as possible, so as to be applicable to all the purposes it was sought to effect.
Mr. M. J. O'Connellhoped the measure would be brought in at a sufficiently early period of the next Session to give all parties full time to consider it.
Sir D. Norreysinquired whether the new valuation would be on the standard of prices, as regulated by the old Act, or whether it would proceed on the principle of the valuation adopted under the Poor Law Act?
§ Sir T. Fremantlesaid, the valuation would be made, in the first instance, on the actual value of the property. If they estimated the value according to the standard of prices, they must still have a preliminary valuation.
§ Subject at an end.