§ MR. SHEEHANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he received from the Macroom Urban Council a resolution, passed on the 11th December, 1903, to the effect that the members considered the clause or section in the Local Government Act of 1898 defective, which makes the occupants of weekly tenements liable for rates and which relieves the owners who were hitherto liable; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of such an amendment of the existing Act as would secure that, as formerly, the owners of property of a valuation of £4 and under should be made liable for the rates.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Act of 1898 was based on the principle that the occupier should be rated, and the Agricultural Grant was fixed upon this understanding. The fundamental change 857 suggested is neither practicable nor desirable.
§ MR. SHEEHANIs it not the fact that in consequence of this provision in the Irish Local Government Act, tenants of these tenements have to pay more rates than formerly?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI must ask for notice.
§ MR. SHEEHANHave you not received many representations from public bodies in Ireland on this point?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have answered the Question on the Paper. I do not propose to suggest any amendment of the law.