MR. F. A. O'KEEFFE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, on the introduction of the Budget, having regard to the decline of legal business in Ireland and the non-necessity for the tax, he will consider the question of remitting the licence duty made annually payable by solicitors in Ireland?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I am sorry to learn that the legal business has declined in Ireland. I thought that that profession at any rate was flourishing. [Laughter.] I had the matter of the duty on solicitors under my consideration last year, and I made a proposal to the House with regard to it, which was not very favourably received. I am afraid I cannot promise that I shall be able to do anything in the matter.