§ MR. HOWORTHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government, in view of the proposed extension of Local Government in Ireland at an early date, intend to introduce any measure during the present Session to alter the incidence of local rating and taxation in Ireland so as to transfer the obligation of paying them from the owners to the occupiers of land?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHNo doubt the subject referred to by my hon. Friend will require to be dealt with as soon as we are able to take up the question of local government in Ireland. But I think it probable that any alteration that may be required in the existing system of rating would probably be more conveniently introduced into the Local Government Bill itself rather than into another measure passed in a different Session.
§ MR. SEXTONAs nearly all local burdens in Ireland now fall upon occupiers, is not the only alternative now to place them on owners?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThe right hon. Gentleman is, no doubt, well-informed on all questions relating to rating in Ireland; but I think it will be found that at all events a portion of the rating falls upon owners, but I think I must ask the House to be good enough to wait until they see our proposals.