§ MR. FINUCANE (Limerick, E.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, before allocating the surplus of £127,000 to the reduction of local taxation in Ireland, he would consider if the object in view would be best attained by his applying the sum in question to the reduction of the rent of the labourers' cottages built under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, as it would, whilst relieving the labourers who are the poorest class in Ireland, have also the effect of reducing local taxation for the payment of which both occupier and owner are liable?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)The object of the surrender of a portion of the Probate Duty was to relieve local taxation equably over the different parts of Ireland. The application of the £127,000 in the manner suggested by the hon. Member would evidently be very inequitable as between district and district. Whatever principle of distribution is adopted the relief granted should, I think, be in proportion to some expenditure which is general over the whole country and to which all districts are liable, and this view is fully shared by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary.