MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, what is the actual total amount of the Exchequer contributions to Ireland during the years 1901–2 and 1902–3 respectively; is it proposed to make in future any further Exchequer contributions to Ireland in addition to those made in 1902–3; and, if so, what is the total amount of such further contributions, of what items are they composed, how is it proposed to 1246 authorise them, and to what special purposes will they be appropriated; and will he lay on the Table of the House a statement showing how the sum of £2,548,460 which His Majesty's Government estimate will, if their proposals are adopted, represent the annual contributions of the Exchequer to Ireland is arrived at, the items whereof it is composed, and the purposes to which those items are to be allocated.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The first part of the Question presumably refers to Exchequer contributions in relief of local taxation. A Return will be laid upon the Table, which will set forth the desired information.