§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why twenty-eight shops and institutes, built by private speculators on War Office grounds on the Curragh 412 Camp, are not charged for county rates or income-tax; will he state what rates or taxes, if any, are paid by the Government in respect of these premises; whether large drapers' shops and canteens are carried on by limited companies; if these premises were built by public moneys; and what rents are charged for them.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) I am informed that no income-Tax is charged on these properties as they were not included in the copy of the poor rate valuation supplied to the Inland Revenue authorities by the county council. In Ireland income tax under Schedules A and B is assessable according to the valuations under the Poor Relief Acts, and the properties appear to form part of those exempted from the poor rate. I have not been able to obtain any information as to the county rates. Drapers' shops and canteens are carried on by the following companies, who pay rent as follows:—
Of these the small oil store alone was built with public money.
Dickeson and Co., Civilian Canteen £10 Todd, Burns, and Co., General Store 15 Boyle and Co., General Store 8 Boyle and Co., Small Oil Store 2 Junior Army and Navy Stores 2