§ MR. GOSCHEN (St. George's, Hanover Square)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, in round figures, how the amount of £5,660,000, described by the Prime Minister as the amount which, under the arrangements of the Government of Ireland Bill, would accrue as revenue to Ireland, is arrived at?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI will re-state the figures which the Prime Minister gave on Monday last. They are based on the Revenue of 1892–1893, as to which the right hon. Gentleman knows 1576 an estimate can now be made with tolerable accuracy. The receipts with which Ireland would be credited on that basis are—Excise (representing the actual contribution of Ireland to these duties, exclusive of licences), £3,220,000; Local Taxation (Stamps, £755,000; Income Tax, £550,000; Excise Licences, £190,000), £1,495,000; Postal Revenue, £740,000; Crown Lands, £65,000; Miscellaneous Revenue, £140,000—total, £5,660,000. The right hon. Gentleman asks me how the amount was arrived at. My reply is that it was arrived at on the same basis as adopted by the right hon. Gentleman himself, but the figures are estimated upon the Revenue for 1892–3, which can now be pretty. accurately gauged.
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)On this subject I wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will lay on the Table of the House a Return showing the adjustment of gross and net Revenue, especially with regard to Excise, and also with regard to the items connected with civil Government; or shall I formally move for such a Return?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTIf the hon. Gentleman will communicate with me I will see which is the more convenient.