§ MR. E. STRACHEY (Somerset, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Local Government Bill gives greater relief to local taxation in Ireland than the English and Scotch Agricultural Rating Acts give in Great Britain; and, if so, what is the amount of greater relief, and how is it given?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe Agricultural Grant proposed to be given to Ireland under the Bill is intended to correspond, generally, with the Grant assigned to England under the Agricultural Rating Act of 1896. It would not be easy to give a more precise answer than this to the Question of the hon. Member, because the circumstances of England and Ireland differ in some important particulars, and no absolute measure of comparison is possible.
§ MR. STRACHEYWould the difference be in favour of England, or of Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI do not think it is possible to say.