§ 53. Mr. RHYS DAVIES (for Mr. HEALY)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the Imperial contribution paid by Northern Ireland in the past three financial years, as well as the total grants paid by him into the Northern Ireland Exchequer in the same period in respect of the new Parliament, the courts, and the equalisation of the Unemployment Insurance Fund?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs the answer is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ 1. The Imperial contributions paid by Northern Ireland in the last three completed financia. years were as follows:
| £ | ||||
| 1928–29 | … | … | … | 1,175,000 |
| 1929–30 | … | … | … | 855,000 |
| 1930–31 | … | … | … | 507,000* |
| £2,537,000 | ||||
| * The contribution for 1930-31 was provisional and is subject to adjustment by the Joint Exchequer Board in the light of actual figures of revenue and expenditure for that year. |
§ 2. During the same years the following grants were paid to Northern Ireland:
§ first-class travel facilities to cases where the Member or civil servant himself pays the difference between the first- and third-class fare?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question of travelling facilities has often been raised in the House, and has been carefully considered in recent months. The decision 673 arrived at was to retain the general system subject to certain modifications designed to eliminate extravagance. Since that decision there has been the cut in salaries. I therefore do not think it necessary to reopen the matter, but I would remind hon. Members that vouchers are available for third as well as first-class travel as they may choose on each occasion.
§ Mr. TURTONWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that out of the 258 Members who voted for the retention of first-class fares 193 lost their scats at the General Election?
§ Mr. THORNEHow many Members have third-class vouchers instead of first?