§ CAPTAIN J. CRAIG (Down, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Board of Inland Revenue, what has been the number of 10s. gun licences issued in Ireland in each of the five years, 1902–1903 to 1906–1907; and if he can state whether, apart from ordinary fluctuations, there has been a marked increase in the number of such licences issued since 31st March, 1907.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe number of 10s. gun licences issued in Ireland in each of the five years 1902–1903 to 1906–1907 is as follows:—
| 1902–1903 | 18,237 |
| 1903–1904 | 18,047 |
| 1904–1905 | 18,484 |
| 1905–1906 | 18,877 |
| 1906–1907 | 19,159 |
§ As regards the last part of the Question, the majority of gun licences in Ireland are issued by Postmasters, and the Board of Inland Revenue inform me that they will not be in a position to give any information regarding the numbers so issued until the annual Return is received at the end of the financial year.