§ Mr. HUGH BARRIEasked whether it is now proposed to make payment in full 400W to Irish local authorities of the amounts calculated upon by them as to be received from the Local Taxation Account (Ireland) for the current financial year; and whether before any deductions were made (without notice), the necessary amount could have been temporarily borrowed to meet the deficiency, as was done in the case of the English Local Taxation Account, until provision was made for replenishing the fund?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIf, as I assume to be the case, the hon. Member refers to the grants proposed in the Budget of this year to make up for the diminished yield of the Local Taxation Account share of the Beer and Spirit Duties, the reply is that these grants cannot be issued until the necessary statutory provision has been made. The hon. Member is in error in supposing that there has been any borrowing on behalf of the Local Taxation Account (England and Wales).