HC Deb 23 October 1902 vol 113 cc614-5
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state what amounts respectively have been stopped by the Treasury in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and from what bodies, in respect of contributions in lieu of rates for Royal Parks, and in what year did the deductions begin; is he aware that in the case of the Phoenix Park there is an annual income from grazing, averaging nearly £600 a year, and as the legal test of rateability has been defined to be what a hypothetical tenant would give, can he suggest any reason why the grazing rents of Phoenix Park are not rateable.

MR. HAYES FISHER

I shall be happy to give the hon. Member privately, or as an answer to an unstarred Question, the details asked for in the first paragraph. The receipts from the Phoenix Park for grazings, etc. (which average £700, not £600, per annum) are more than counterbalanced by the cost of maintaining the Park, which amounts to over £7,000 per annum. In view of the judgments in the case of the Churchwardens of Lambeth v. the London County Council, reported in The Times of 20th July, 1897, the Treasury would not be justified in making any contributions in respect of them.

MR. T. M. HEALY

But surely the hon. Gentleman can give me the amount stopped for England, Scotland and Ireland respectively.

MR. HAYES FISHER

Yes, I have said I will give the information privately or in answer to an unstarred Question. It would be too long an answer to be read in the House.