§ MR. THOMAS ESMONDEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the amount of interest to the end of June, 1906, realised by the arrangements made last year for the utilising of the current balances of certain Irish public funds by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer; and if he will continue the inquiry initiated by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer for the purpose of ascertaining whether further funds credited to Irish public departments, or held by the Treasury for Irish purposes, can be similarly utilised with a view to increasing the sums now available 797 for the purposes of Irish development; and whether he will arrange to have a separate account of the sums realised under the existing arrangements and under any further arrangements shown annually in connection with Irish Estimates or in a Parliamentary Return.
§ MR. McKENNAAs shown in the Annual Report under the Ireland Development Grant Act (Command Paper No. 2937) the amount received by the Development Grant Fund during 1905–6 for interest on monies placed on deposit at the Bank was £751 11s. 8d. The amount received as interest by the Department of Agriculture and the Congested Districts Board are shown in statements appended to the annual Appropriation Accounts, and similar receipts are shown in the accounts rendered to Parliament in respect of other funds. I understand that the result of inquiries made last year was to show that the available balances in the hands of Irish Departments were duly turned to account. I have no reason to doubt that such is still the case.
§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDEsuggested that a general statement might be got out showing the amount derived annually.
§ MR. McKENNAThese figures are already given fully. I do not think it would be worth while to make a special return.