HC Deb 01 June 1911 vol 26 cc1215-6
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he will state the total amount of revenue raised in Ireland from all sources for an average year in each quinquennial period from 1886 to 1906; what amount should be paid for an average year in each period on the part of Ireland as her contribution to the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom under the Government of Ireland Bill, 1886, had it become law; if he will also state what amount would be available for Irish development after providing out of sources of Irish revenue then existing, and since imposed by the Parliament of Great Britain, the stipulated contribution to the Imperial Exchequer, as well as providing for the cost of civil and other government charges as they have since existed in Ireland; and whether he will also state what portion of the then estimated share of Ireland's responsibility for the National Debt would now be extinguished by the operation of the Sinking Fund provided by the Bill of 1886, and when the whole of Ireland's liability under the latter head would be extinguished; (2) what loss in each year to the finances of an Irish exchequer would result from the imposition of the increased spirit duty imposed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, had the financial clauses of the Government of Ireland Bills, 1886 and 1893, respectively, been in operation between Great Britain and Ireland since the time the increased duty was imposed; and (3) whether he will have prepared a balance-sheet of Irish revenue and expenditure for an average year in each quinquennial period from 1886 to 1906, similar to that presented by Mr. Gladstone in the Government of Ireland Bill of 1893, as amended, and setting out the items as therein stated; and whether he will set out separately the Irish yield of any taxes since specially imposed as war expenditure or extraordinary expenditure for the defence of the realm, as defined in Section 10. Sub-section (7) of that Bill had it become law?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am afraid I cannot undertake to furnish hypothetical calculations on the basis suggested in these questions.

Mr. P. WHITE

Does the loss on the Spirit Duty in Ireland in years past affect the question?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

If it is calculated on the basis suggested I should think it does.

Mr. P. WHITE

Having regard to the importance of the question will the hon. Gentleman give me facilities to make inquiry myself?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Certainly.