HC Deb 22 March 1889 vol 334 cc533-4
MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Government would lay upon the Table of the House a detailed statement of the distribution of the grant in aid paid under the Probate Duties (Scotland and Ireland) Act of last Session, showing the amount of grant in aid paid to each parish in Scotland, with a statement of the population, assessable rental, and detailed and gross amounts of the local assessments, and rate per £1 rental, of each such parish?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) Bute

The statement desired involves the collection of a large amount of details, and they are asked for in relation to an arrangement which expires on the 31st of this month. The Government would not be justified in making for this pur- pose any large demand on the time and labour of officials, and unless it is found that the information asked for is more easily obtainable than at present appears, I cannot undertake to give the statement. If, contrary to my expectation, the statement can be given, I shall let the hon. Gentleman know.