Sir L. Worthington-Evans, in the House on Friday week, explained
the finanoial arrangements under the Home Rule Bill- The balance of Irish revenue over expenditure this year was estimated at £22,250,000, but the Government proposed to require from Ireland a contribution of only £18,000,000 and to make Ireland a free gift of the land annuities, valued at £3,260,000 a year. With other items, Southern Ireland would have a surplus revenue of £7,000,000 and Northern Ireland a surplus of £2,250,000. Moreover, the Treasury would grant at least £1,000,000 for the two Parliament buildings that would be required. The Government would insist on retaining the control of Customs and Excise and of the Income Tax in Ireland. Several Unionist members urged that the financial powers of the Irish Parliaments should be enlarged still further, but the Government remained firm. Sir Edward Carson expressed the Lope that the Irish Parliaments and the British Treasury would co-operate in amending the scheme if it proved to be unfair. He mentioned that the Six-County Area would pay 44 per cent. of the total Irish contribution.
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