37. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTANDOYLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the Government's intention to set off against the land annuities payable by the Irish Free State under the Land Purchase Acts the tariffs imposed and collected on the cattle and other imports from the Irish Free State into England and Scotland during the past year, he will say how much is now due in respect of the land annuities payable by the Irish Free State to the British Government under the Irish Land Purchase Acts to date; and what is the amount of tariffs collected on imports from the Irish Free State into England and Scotland to date?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe amount now due but unpaid by the Irish Free State is £2,558,000 of which the Land Annuities represent £1,483,000. Up to the 30th November, the revenue from the duties imposed on imports into the United Kingdom from the Irish Free State (including the 10 per cent. general ad valorem duty from the 15th November) was £1,182,000.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that the tariff war which is going on between this country and Ireland is about the wickedest thing that has ever happened?