§ MR. J. DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the county cess, struck in the year 1896 by the Grand Jury of county Monaghan, was £3,571 10s. 4d. less than the year 1895, and £1,935 10s. 8d. less than 1897; and whether he can state why, seeing that an exceptionally low cess was levied in 1896, the Government selected that year as the standard under the Local Government (Ireland) Bill?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe figures in the first paragraph are, I believe, substantially correct. I have already explained to the hon. Member the reasons for the selection by Government of the year 1896–7 as the standard year under the Bill.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the effect which a case such as that pointed out in the Question would have on the occupier in a county like this?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That is rather a matter for debate on the Bill, and does not properly arise as a question.
§ MR. DALYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a peculiarity in the same direction in every other county in Ireland?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!