§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table a Return of Irish Estates in the Landed Estates Court for sale, showing the location of each estate, the name of the landlord, the rate able valuation, the actual present rental, the highest offer made in each case in which there has been any offer of purchase, and the period for which each estate has been in the hands of the Court? I have put down this question again in order to ascertain from the right hon. Gentleman what part of the information he is prepared to give.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Registrar to the Land Judge reports that the means do not exist in this Court of giving the rate able valuation, the actual present rental, or the highest offer made in each case in which there has been any offer. The rest of the question could be answered, but would take a long time, and would probably show no useful information, as it would include both sold and unsold land, and all kinds of tenures, life estates, short leases, &c., as well as fee-simple estates. If it were required to give only unsold lands it would take a still longer time to make the Return, which in no event could be completed before the end of the present Session, as each case would have to be minutely examined to ascertain what, if any, part of it had been sold. The Argyll Return 808 might possibly give some information on the subject.
§ MR. SEXTONI submit that in considering the Land Purchase Bill it is indispensable that the House should know what prices were offered in Court; and I would press on the right hon. Gentleman the desirability of furnishing this in formation in some form or other.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI shall be glad to give every information to the House in regard to any part of the Land Bill that will tend to elucidate the measure; but, from the answer which the Land Court has given me, I am not very hopeful that this particular information can be given.