HC Deb 06 March 1906 vol 153 cc318-9
MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what are the estimated amounts of the true revenue of Ireland in the financial years ending the 31st March, 1895–1900 and 1905 respectively; what would the amounts be if the collections of revenue in Ireland were based on contributions made according to the findings of the Royal Commission on the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland, viz., that the taxable capacity of Ireland does not exceed one-twentieth of that of Great Britain.

MR. McKENNA

The estimated amount of Ireland's true contribution to Revenue was in 1894–5, £7,690,000; in 1899–1903, £8,664,500; in 1904–5, £9,753,500; if Ireland's contribution to tax-revenue in those years had been limited to one-twentieth of the tax-revenue contributed by Great Britain, the revenue derived from Ireland would have been in 1894–5, £4,856,000; in 1899–1900, £6,062,500; in 1904–5, £7,132,500. It is necessary however to point out that the expenditure on Irish Services is estimated to have been—

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

I never asked that.

MR. McKENNA

, continuing, is estimated to have been in 1894–5, £5,616,000 in 1899–1900, £6,980,000; in 1904–5, £7,567,000. Consequently, if Ireland's contribution had been, reduced to the proportions indicated, the result would have been, not only that Ireland would have contributed nothing to the cost of services of an Imperial character, but that Ireland's revenue would have fallen considerably short of the cost of purely Irish Services.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how much Australia and Canada contribute for Imperial purposes?

SIR EDWARD CARSON (Dublin University)

Is it proposed to reduce Irish taxation?

MR. MCKENNA

That Question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

Having regard to the very unsatisfactory condition of the financial relations between the two countries, is it proposed by the Government to revise them at a very near period?

MR. MCKENNA

That Question should not be addressed to me.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Can the hon. Gentleman give us details of the expenditure on Irish Services?

MR. MCKENNA

The hon. Member can have them if he wishes.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I shall move for a Return.