asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount paid by way of contributions by the Government of Northern Ireland to the Treasury in each year since 1922–23 to 1936–37; and the amount paid by way of grants from the Exchequer to the Government of Northern Ireland in the same years?

As the answer is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The following table shows in column r the Imperial Contribution paid by the Government of Northern Ireland.

Column 2 shows the payments from the Exchequer to Northern Ireland (a) under the Unemployment Insurance Agreements; (b) as special grants for Special Constabulary, Malicious Injuries, etc., in the initial years of separation; (c) for buildings under Sections 24 and 34 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920.

Column 2 does not include the amount, approximately £656,000 a year, collected from tenants and retained by the Government of Northern Ireland under Section 26 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, in respect of land purchase annuities under agreements entered into before the passing of the Act. (An equivalent sum is paid as a nonrecoverable charge out of the Imperial Exchequer to the National Debt Commissioners.)