§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is prepared to recommend the introduction of a short Act authorising the appointment of a Valuation Commission to re-value the land in Ireland or, in case such a task could not at present be undertaken, will he assent to the introduction of a short Bill fixing the valuation of a tenant's holding at the fair rent fixed thereon by the Irish Land Commission?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURAs I stated a day or two ago, the question of a re-valuation of Ireland is, in my judgment, well worthy of consideration. I am not prepared at present, however, to give an undertaking on the subject. The suggestion that a short Bill should be introduced fixing the valuation of a tenant's holding at the fair rent fixed thereon by the Land Commission could not be entertained. It is of the essence of any good valuation for rating purposes that the valuation should be uniform throughout each area of taxation, and this quality would be conspicuously absent if the proposal of the hon. Member were adopted.