§ MR. FLAVIN () Kerry, N.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if there are any districts in the county of Kerry on which there is levied a rate of over 2s. in the £ for the year 1899-4900 for railway guarantees; and, whether he is aware that the ratepayers of Kerry contribute annually about £ 15,000 as rates levied on guaranteed railways; and, if so, whether the Government can see their way, either by a free grant of money or by wiping out a portion of the railway indebtedness, to relieve the heavy burden of taxation on the ratepayers.
§ MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. W. BALFOUR)The rate exceeds 2s. for 590 the purpose mentioned, in the Barony of Corkaguiny only, where it amounts to 2s. 10d. The gross amount presented for railway guarantees during the present financial year in Kerry was £ 17,671, which amount, however, included the Treasury recoupment of £ 2,600, so that the actual amount borne by the rates was £ 15,071. Any additional contribution to the county out of the Local Taxation Account under the provisions of Section 58, Sub-section 4, of the Local Government Act, 1898, in respect of railway guarantees, will not be payable until after the 31st March proximo. The Government do not propose to take any further action in the direction suggested in the question.