§ Sir W. SUGDENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Northern Ireland has been excluded from the proposed relief in respect of rates on productive industries, though at the same time that part of Great Britain will be called upon to contribute to the relief afforded in other parts of Great Britain through the imposition of the duty on oils?
Mr. SAMUELUnder the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, the relief of rates on productive industry is a matter for which the Parliament of Northern Ireland would be the appropriate legislative body. My hon. Friend may have seen the report in the Press yesterday that the Minister of Finance for Northern Ireland has expressed his intention of following the British Government's example in relation to rating relief. An appropriate share of the revenue derived from the duty on imported oils will be duly credited to Northern Ireland in accordance with the provisions of the Act referred to.