§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Wexford District Council expressing an opinion that it is unjust to charge loan capital duty on loans borrowed from the Government for the purpose of carrying out the Labourers Acts, and that Parliament intended to exclude from stamp duty all documents executed under these Acts; and, if so, will he take steps to have such duty remitted in future.
§ MR. ASQUITHLoan capital duty is chargeable in respect of loans raised by local authorities generally, without regard to the particular purposes to which the loans may be applied; and I am not 1558 aware of any intention, either expressed or implied, on the part of Parliament to relieve Irish local authorities from this duty in respect of loans raised for the purposes of the Labourers Acts. I may, however, refer the hon. Member to a reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Dublin County on 8th July last†from which he will see that the inconveniences which are alleged to arise from the application of the duty to those and to analogous cases are receiving consideration.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDasked if the right hon. Gentleman intended to carry out in the Loan Funds Bill his promise to introduce legislation lightening the burden?
§ MR. ASQUITHreplied that the matter would be dealt with in that Bill which would be introduced in a few days.