§ MR. KNOXI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what does he estimate to be the number and acreage of the holdings in each province in Ireland which will be excluded from the operation of the Land Purchase Bill by Clause 6, (a) as pasture, and (b) because the tenant is nonresident; and what are the sources of the information upon which his estimate is based?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs I have already stated, I have not in my possession information which would enable me to give anything more than a rough estimate upon the subject referred to in this question. The general basis of the estimate is material collected by the Registrar General, partly under the Census Act for 1881, and partly by special inquiries made from time to time through the police. Taking first the total number of agricultural holdings and their valuations, we have deducted an estimate prepared from the best information at our disposal of farms used wholly or mainly for grazing, farms over £200 valuation, farms upon which the occupier does not reside, demesne lands, and perpetual interests not held at full rent. The general result of deductions made on this plan is as follows:—The number of holdings excluded in this way as having been used wholly or mainly for grazing were, in round numbers—in Leinster 18,000, in Munster 16,000, in Ulster 8,000, in Connaught 10,000—total 52,000; and the number excluded as being non-residential were, in round numbers—in Leinster 2,400, in Munster 2,300, in Ulster 1,100, in Connaught 2,300—total 8,100, exclusive of nonresidential farms already excluded as grazing farms. I regard all these conclusions as of so doubtful and speculative a character that I am in some doubt whether I ought to give them to the House, even though accompanied by these words of warning and caution.
§ MR. KNOXThe right hon. Gentleman speaks of the number of farms which have been excluded. Does he mean excluded under the Act of 1881? 934 If so, is he aware that the provisions in the Bill before the House are different and more exclusive than those of the Act! of 1881? I may also remind the right hon. Gentleman that he does not give the acreage of the holdings.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have not got the acreage. As to the farms which are excluded I have endeavoured to give them in accordance with the provisions of the Bill, and I give what is still more important, namely, the valuation. As to the acreage, if the hon. Member will put down another question I will make the inquiry.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWas the information obtained by the Constabulary?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir.