§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view
† See (4) Debates, cxxix., 1032.735 of the fact that Kerry pays annually out of its rates eight times as much as Connaught and Donegal together for railway and harbour guarantees, that the rate raised for this purpose alone every year averages 1s. 1d. per pound of the total valuation of the whole county, he will reconsider the advisability of applying a portion of the money accumulated under Section 58 of the Local Government Act of 1898 to the relief of those expenses in Kerry.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe total amount contributed by way of railway and harbour guarantees in Kerry during the last completed year for which I have information was £21,591. But sums amounting to £12,755 were paid to the county in relief of such charges, and the net charge against the county was thus reduced to £8,836. In the province of Connaught and county Donegal the figures under the same heads were £15,404, £7,740, and £7,664. With respect to the concluding part of the Question, I cannot at present supplement my replies to the Questions put to me on the 15th instant by the hon. Member.† He is aware of the protracted efforts which I have made to arrive at such an arrangement over the Dingle Railway as would, incidentally, relieve its rates.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLFrom what source are these figures obtained? I have returns which show they are not correct.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThey have been arrived at, after considerable labour, from a House of Commons Return of last year.