§ MR. MAURICE HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will give the figures which show that the advantage which urban areas will gain by a system of union rating will be about £27,000 per annum?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe figures upon which is based the estimated increase in the Agricultural Grant due to the adoption of union rating are only an approximation, and cannot be checked until the new boundaries of the unions and counties are settled and the exact amount of the poor rate assessed or raised in the year 1896–97 is ascertained. The increase in the grant is roughly, as I stated yesterday, £13,000.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALYI do not think the right hon. Gentleman understands my Question. It is not in reference to the increased grant, but the benefit the urban areas will derive.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIf the hon. Member will repeat the Question, and state exactly what he does mean, I will endeavour to answer him.