§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will grant a Return giving the number of Excise officers at present serving in Ireland, also the number stationed in country districts (excluding the larger towns), and the extent, approximately, of the districts which each country officer has to supervise, and the number of distilleries and breweries in each of these districts; and also similar information with respect to the Excise administration in England?
§ MR. HANBURYThe compilation of this Return would involve a good deal of labour, and would not, so far as I can see, servo any useful purpose. The computation of the "approximate extent" of the districts, about 2,300 in number, would be a troublesome task; and there would be difficulty, too, in regard to the "number of distilleries and breweries," which, varying as they do in size and importance, would be rather misleading when given. The greater part of the information asked for can be ascertained from "Ham's Inland Revenue Year Book for 1898," which, though not an official publication, is probably sufficiently accurate for the honourable Member's purpose.
§ MR. W. REDMONDIs "Ham's Inland Revenue Book" an official Return?
§ MR. HANBURYIt is not official, but I am told its information is very accurate.
§ MR. W. REDMONDIs there any official means by which the information could be obtained?
§ MR. HANBURYI think not.
§ MR. W. REDMONDWill the right honourable Gentleman consider the advisability of granting a Return, as a great deal of feeling has arisen on this Question?
§ MR. HANBURYI will consider it.