HC Deb 17 May 1906 vol 157 cc655-6
MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of the accumulated balance of local taxation under Section 58 of The Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898; and whether it is proposed to use this balance for the relief of baronies paying high charges for railway guarantees by paying all the charges over sixpence in the £.

THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. CHERRY, Liverpool, Exchange)

The accumulated balance, now in an interest-bearing deposit account in the Bank of Ireland, amounts to £75,320. I may remind the hon. Member that the Local Taxation Account already provides relief to local areas in respect of railway and harbour charges. Under Sub-section of the section quoted in the Question, one-half of the excess of such charges over sixpence in the £ of the rateable value is paid out of the Local Taxation Account. It is not proposed to apply the accumulated balance in further relief of these charges as suggested.