HC Deb 27 April 1893 vol 11 cc1301-2
MR. BRODRICK (Surrey, Guildford)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the fact that the Estimate of the Irish Excise presented to Parliament in connection with the Irish Government Bill was based on the estimated receipts of the year 1892–3, that the total Excise collected in 1892–3 was less than the Estimate by £200,000, the total Estimate for 1893–4 is less than the total Estimate for 1892–3 by nearly £550,000, and that a corresponding fall must have taken place in the Excise collected in aid of Local Taxation, will he explain what corresponding deduction must be made in the funds available for the service of the Irish Government under the Irish Government Bill?

SIR W. HARCOURT

The hon. Member is in error in supposing that the total Excise collested in 1892–3 was less than the Estimate by £300,000. It did, in fact, fall short of the Estimate by about £90,000, as shown by the printed paper delivered with the Budget. When he speaks of the total Estimate for 1893–4 falling short of that for 1892–3 by £600,000, he is presumably referring not to Excise, but to the total of tax and non-tax Revenue, which is a different thing altogether. It is impossible to draw an Irish balance sheet for 1893–4 until the movement of duty-paid articles between England and Ireland in 1892–3 is tabulated. This work is in hand.

MR. BRODRICK

Perhaps I may be allowed to explain that the right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question on the Paper. May I ask whether, having regard to the great fall in the Excise since he presented this statement, he will present a revised Estimate of the Irish receipts upon the proposed Irish Government?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I think it should be possible to make an approximate Estimate for 1893–4. It shall be completed as soon as possible.

MR. SEXTON (Kerry, W.)

How soon shall we have the actual figures of Irish Receipts and Expenditure?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I am afraid I cannot exactly say just now.