§ MR. P. A. MCHUGHI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury when did the Local Government Board for Ireland become aware that a sum of £1,500 was to be stopped from the grants due to the county council of Sligo in March, 1907; when was the fact communicated to the secretary of the county council of Sligo; can he state approximately the amount which will be stopped from grants payable to Sligo County Council in March, 1908; what portion of the £1,500 was stopped on account of unpaid annuities; and what is the amount of annuities now due and unpaid in Sligo county.
§ MR. BIRRELLMy hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. The Local Government Board were notified of the liabilities of all the counties on 26th February last. The calculations as to the deductions to be made from each of the local bodies in all the counties were completed as soon as possible, and on 26th March the Sligo County Council were informed of their share in the grant. The amounts which may have to be deducted from grants to county councils in respect of the current financial year will not be known till towards the end of the year. The deduction on account of unpaid annuities in Sligo was £235. I am inquiring as to the amount of the annuities at present unpaid, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Is a deduction also made in the case of Irish borough councils?
§ MR. BIRRELLI will inquire.