HC Deb 03 May 1898 vol 57 cc159-60
MR. DALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- land whether he can state the gross amount of county cess struck by all the grand juries in Ireland for each of the years 1895, 1896, and 1897, respectively?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The amounts of county cess levied at the March and July Assizes in the years 1895, 1896, and 1897, respectively, were £1,323,312; £1,280,577; £1,348,859. The amount for 1897 may be subject to some slight revision when the final returns shall have been received.

MR. DALY

Was 1896 selected as the standard year under the Local Government Bill, because the cess was smaller in that year than in other years?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

On the contrary, the figures show that the cess in 1896–97 was greater than in previous years.