MR. P. O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for Dublin County, North, I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would state what is the amount, with interest, paid to the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account under the Local Taxation (Ireland) Estate Duty Act, 1896, up to the present time, and to what purpose or purposes the Government propose to devote this money; and whether, if no final conclusion has yet been arrived at with reference to its distribution, means will be taken to ascertain the views of Irish Members on the subject before any plan of distribution is laid before Parliament?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe lodgments made to the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account under the Act to which the hon. Member refers amount at the present time to £224,909 17s. 10d., and, as already stated, the amount of interest accrued thereon is 1503 £1,237. No decision has yet been arrived at as to the purposes to which Her Majesty's Government propose to devote the money; but I have no doubt that Irish opinion will be considered before the matter is finally decided.