MR. J. E. ELLISI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what number of "Rules" have been issued by the Irish Land Commission since its establishment; how many are now in force; and whether he will lay a copy of them upon the Table?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I am informed there were a number of rules from time to time issued by the Land Commissioners appointed under the Act of 1881 up to the 12th December, 1883. On that date the Commissioners issued 151 general rules and orders in relation to proceedings in pursuance of 38 the Act of 1881 or any part of any Act incorporated therewith, and thereby ordered that all previous rules and orders should cease to be in force as regards all proceedings commenced or continued after that date. One hundred and forty-eight of the rules of December 1883, are still in force, but a few of these have been, in some respects, modified by subsequent rules. Since 1883, 59 rules have, from time to time, been issued pursuant to the Land Law (Ireland) Act 1881 and 1887. Of those 7 have been rescinded, 10 were merely temporary rules, which have expired, and 42 remain in force. Forty-three rules were issued under the Arrears of Rent Act 1882, in respect of which the time for application has long expired. Pursuant to the Labourers (Ireland) Acts 1882 to 1886, 21 rules have been issued, of which 19 are now in force. The first Code of General Rules under the Purchase of Land Act, 1885, was issued on the 14th October, 1885. The second Code was issued on the 5th December, 1887, after the passing of the Act of 1887, and was in substitution of the rules of 1885, Further General Rules were made on the 17th December, 1889, amending, and in addition to, the rules of the 5th December, 1887; and these are the rules now in force in relation to proceedings under the Land Purchase Acts. Copies of all the rules above referred to have been, from time to time, laid upon the Table of the House, as required by the several statutes cited.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI believe not.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is a matter which does not rest in my hands at all. If the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper I will inquire whether there is any objection.