§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the total amount of rates levied in all Ireland in the year ended March 31st, 1905, for railway and harbour guarantees; the total amount contributed in relief of those rates from the local taxation account; the amount levied in Kerry for the same period for the same purpose; and the amount that would be required to pay the whole of such rate in all Ireland over 6d. in the £, and over 9d. in the £.
† See (4) Debates, cliv., 1082.
MR. BRYCEIt would not be possible for the Local Government Board to give the information asked for in the first part of this Question without obtaining. Returns from all local authorities concerned. The total amount contributed in relief of rates for railway and harbour guarantees from the local taxation account in respect of the year ending March 31st, 1905, was £12,524 19s. 11d. The net amount levied in county Kerry for the same purposes during the year ended March 31st, 1905, was £11,932 4s. 8d., deduction having been made of the amount of refund under Section 58 of the Local Government Act of 1898. The information asked for in the concluding part of the Question cannot be stated with accuracy, as some of the counties concerned have not yet sent in claims for refund in respect of the year in question; but as regards the counties from which applications have been received, the sum required to pay the full amount of such charges over 6d. in the £ would be £25,049 19s. 10d., and the sum required to pay the full amount over 9d.. in the £ would be £15,449 19s. 10d.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Kerry pays more in the shape of these guarantees than the whole of the rest of Ireland?