HC Deb 15 July 1898 vol 61 cc1204-5
MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, when Richmond Prison was taken over from the Dublin Corporation by the War Department, any addition was made to the allowance in lieu of rates made to the city by Government; (2) whether since then another large (barracks has been built in Dublin, and if any addition to the rate grant has been made on that account by Government; (3) is he aware that in the last Dublin Water Act the War Department insisted on inserting a clause compelling the municipality to sell them water at a cheaper rate than they had hitherto paid, so that the Army now make a smaller contribution to the city; and (4) is any means taken to make the Government grant in lieu of rates proportionate to the values of the buildings in State occupation?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.

(1) The Government has paid a contribution in lieu of rates on Richmond Prison, not only since it was handed over to the War Office, but since 1878, when it was taken over from the Corporation. (2) The Marlborough Barracks, that latest built, has been valued at £3,200 per annum, on which amount a contribution in lieu of rates will be paid. (3) In connection with the last Dublin Water Act, a bargain was struck between the War Office and the Corporation as to the rate to be charged for water supplied to the barracks. Previously the War Office were being charged at a much higher rate than private consumers. (4) In 1896, at the request of the Corporation, all Government property in Dublin was re-valued, and no appeal was taken against the results. Government property there is valued as high as other property revised within the last five years, and much higher than property not so revised. In the last 10 years the valuation of Government property has risen from £33,000 to £41,000.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Can the right honourable Gentleman give us the figures as to what is paid by the Government to-day on Government property in Dublin as compared with that paid a few years ago?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

The actual payments?

MR. T. M. HEALY

Yes.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

If the honourable Member will put down a Motion for a Return, I will get the figures.