§ 49. Sir Ronald Rossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to charge taxpayers in Northern Ireland interest on the special contribution for the period between 1st January, 1949, and the passing of legislation designed to make the levying of the special contribution lawful in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir S. CrippsYes, Sir. The special contribution was intended to apply in Northern Ireland in the same way as in the rest of the United Kingdom, and the legislation I propose is designed to make clear that it does so apply.
§ Sir R. RossDoes the Chancellor think it right, particularly with his distinguished legal knowledge, that people should have to pay interest on money which is not legally due and that there should be retrospective legislation to that effect; or does he think it is now legal in which case the legislation he proposes is redundant?
§ Sir S. CrippsThere seems to be some doubt whether it is legal or not and, therefore, it is better to put the matter at rest and not trouble people with litigation.