asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state (a) the number of Ford cars of pre-1923 build registered in County Meath for the quarter ended 31st December, 1926; (b) the number of such cars registered for the quarter ending 24th March, 1927, and if a reduction in the number registered for the latter period is shown, he can state to what cause the reduction and the consequent loss in revenue is attributable.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FORD CARS IN CO. MEATH.
It is presumed that the Deputy refers to private Ford cars liable to the £23 tax this year.
The figures for the quarter ended the 31st of December, 1926, are not immediately available, but the figures for the quarters ended the 24th of March, 1926, and the 24th of March, 1927, are 64 and 20 respectively.
Of the number not licensed in the March quarter of this year which were licensed in the corresponding quarter of last year, viz., 44, there is no information available regarding 27, but the remaining 17 are accounted for as follows:—
10 transferred to other counties,
2 broken up,
2 taken by motor agents in part payment for other cars,
1 registered as hackney,
2 licensed at £23 subsequent to 24th of March.
There have actually been licensed in County Meath since the 24th March, 1927, four old private Fords at the £23 tax rate which were not licensed in the March quarter of 1926.
The total number of Ford private cars registered in the quarter ended the 24th of March, 1926, was 117, and for the quarter ended the 24th of March, 1927, 130, showing 13 more Ford cars. These numbers include in both years cars which are eligible for the £10 tax.