§ MR. FLAVINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution unanimously passed by the Kerry County Council on the 8th instant, which states that the valuations of houses have been raised from £8 to £20, and from £8 to £26, and also from £2 to £11; whether he will make inquiries into these statements; and whether he can state under what rules the Commissioner of Valuation acts in deciding that valuation on small improvements shall be increased by 300 to 500 per cent.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Commissioner of Valuation informs me that valuations in Kerry were made on the same basis and under the same rules as all other valuations in Ireland. When cases are brought before the Commissioner by the local authorities a revision of the valuation on the principles laid down in the Valuation Acts is made. A deduction of some 30 per cent. is given in Kerry to make the new valuations relative to the old. In every case there is an appeal to quarter sessions.
§ MR. FLAVINCan the right hon. Gentleman say how it is these increases have been made on old buildings, as stated in the question?
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo, Sir; if the parties concerned are dissatisfied with the interpretation placed on the law by the Commissioner, there is a judicial appeal against his decision.
§ MR. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the case was taken before the county court judge, who upset the Commissioner's valuation, but that the Commissioner then appealed to a higher court and got the county court judge's decision upset?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI was not aware of that.
§ In reply to a further question by Mr. T. M. HEALY—
938§ MR. WYNDHAMsaid the Select Committee, the appointment of which he promised when introducing the Valuation Bill, would inquire fully into all these matters.
§ MR. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman allow the Kerry County Council to appoint an independent valuer?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI can in no way interfere in the matter or impugn the judicial acts of the Commissioner.