§ MR. MURNAGHANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the local rates for the year 1901 in the Omagh Rural District of Tyrone are 30 per cent, higher than in 1897, on which the agricultural grant is based; can he say how much of this increase is necessitated by compliance with orders of the Local Government Board; and, as the additional burden is placed on the occupying tenants, the poorest class in the community, will he take into consideration the necessity of increasing the agricultural grant to an amount corresponding to half the increase since I lie standard year.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe rates in this district for the current year show an increase of about 16 per cent, on the rates in the standard year. This increase is, I believe, of a temporary character; it was not caused by the Local Government Board, but is chiefly due to the payment of election expenses, and the expenditure generally incurred in bringing the Act of 1898 into operation. The Local Government Board anticipate that the new rates about to be made will show a considerable reduction (compared with rates for the current year), not only in Omagh but throughout Ireland.
§ MR. MURNAGHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the new rate to which I desire to call attention is at least 35 per cent, over the standard rate, it being 4s. 3d. as compared with 2s. 11d?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have taken that into account.