HC Deb 05 July 1911 vol 27 cc1298-9W
Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if any deduction was made from the grants payable to county Longford in relief of local taxation, before or after a special rate of 1¾d. in the £ was struck for extra police in that county for the financial year finding the 31st March last?

Mr. BIRRELL

Deductions were made from grants payable to the county council of county Longford, both before and after the special rate mentioned was struck.

Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that in the county of Longford the local rates, irrespective of levies for extra police, malicious injuries, etc., have increased from 2s. 5d. on land and 4s. l½d. on buildings for the year ended 31st March, 1908, to 3s. 3¾d. on land and 5s. 0¼d. on buildings in the current financial year; and if he can explain the causes of this increase?

Mr. BIRRELL

The poundage rates mentioned are those made for the Longford Rural District for the years specified, but the county includes two other rural districts in which the rates are lower. The explanation for the increase of the poundage rates is presumably increased expenditure. County councils have no control over the expenditure of boards of guardians, rural district councils, and committees of district lunatic asylums, though they are bound to strike a rate sufficient to meet the demands of these bodies.