§ 58. Mr. ATKEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of £28,799 15s. 2d. levied in 1918 by the county councils in Ireland, under Section 89 of the Finance (909–10) Act, 1910, in respect of Motor Car Licence Duties represents the actual amount, due for that year; 218 whether the Irish county councils do not strictly enforce the collection of this particular tax; and, if so, what is the cause?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe sum of £28,799 15s. 2d. was collected in respect of the licences issued during the year 1918. It is not possible to state the exact amount of Licence Duty due in respect of any financial year. As regards the remaining part of the question, the county councils in the administration of the Motor Car Duties in Ireland are not subject to the authority, direction, or control of the Treasury, and I have no precise information on the point.
§ Mr. ATKEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the general opinion in Ireland is that it is quite immaterial whether you pay the tax or whether you do not?
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the hon. Member referring to Wales?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is Within my knowledge that there have been suggestions that the duty is not collected. I only saw the question this morning, and I have not had time since I saw it to ascertain with whom rest the duties in this matter, or to whose benefit the produce of the duty accrues. I think it is wholly a matter within the discretion of the Irish county councils, and that the Treasury is expressly excluded from any control.
§ Mr. MOLESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that every county council in Ireland issues a public return of the amounts collected, and that in at least two cases the return shows a bigger average percentage collected than in any county in England?
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that procedure is not adopted in Wales?