§ MR. HENRY HOBHOUSE (Somersetshire)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if any further payments will be received by County Councils in respect of the residue (Beer and Spirits Duty) grant during the present financial year; if the sums received in respect of the present financial year are likely to be greater or less than those received in respect of the last financial year; and if he would consider if he could give any further information as to these receipts to the County Councils and County Borough Councils (if possible in the month of March in each year), so as to enable them to frame their educational budgets with some degree of exactitude.
(Answered by Mr. Ritchie.) I understand that a further instalment of the residue grant, amounting to £150,000, will be distributed very shortly among the County Councils and County 837 Borough Councils. I cannot at present state exactly the amount that will be distributable in respect of the present financial year, but I will endeavour to arrange with the Local Government Board and the Revenue authorities, so that the latest information as to the state of the Local Taxation Revenue from time to time may be placed at the disposal of the local authorities.