§ MR. GIBSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, What does he now estimate the expenses of the Irish Land Commission at for the current financial year; what was the amount of the original estimate; is it intended to submit any Supplementary Estimate on the subject; and, what is the amount of the estimated receipts of the Irish Land Commission for the current financial year from the stamps and fees of suitors?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, the original Estimate for the Irish Land Commission is £92,552, to which should be added £3,500 charged on the Consolidated Fund for the salary of the Judicial Commissioner. I have no information as to the present rate of actual expenditure on the Vote, and have heard nothing of a Supplementary Estimate; but I may mention that the Exchequer issues for the first four months of the year indicate an expenditure well within the limits of the Vote. As the fixed salaries form little more than one-half of the Vote, and the figures of the other items are Estimates based on very slight experience, it would be obviously premature to express an opinion at present as to the probable cost of the Commission in the present financial year. The receipts from fees have been estimated at £6,600; but 609 we have not ventured to form an estimate of the produce of stamps on originating notices, which depends upon the number of such notices.
§ MR. GIBSONsaid, that the appointment of the four additional Sub-Commissioners, involving an expenditure of £6,000 each, would amount to £24,000; and there was a further anticipated expenditure of £2,000.
§ MR. COURTNEYThe right hon. and learned Member, I think, has been too liberal in his estimate with regard to the Sub-Commissioners.
§ MR. GIBSONWhat is it, then?
§ MR. COURTNEYI have not the figures by me. I can only repeat that I believe the original estimate will cover the whole of the expenditure.