§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What is the total number of applications, under the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Bill, which have been lodged with the Land Commissioners; how many of such applications have been heard and disposed of; and, how many dismissed, as not coming within the provisions of the Act?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, up to and including yesterday, the Land Commissioners had received 3,628 applications, comprising 5,393 holdings. Out of this number of holdings 3,213 were the subject of joint applications and 2,180 of separate applications. In the case of the joint applications, 1,141 conditional orders have been made, out of which number 561 have been made absolute. Orders have not yet been made in the case of the separate applications. Up to the 21st of October six investigators had been appointed. Investigators have reported in about 100 cases, and conditional orders will be made in a day or two. Twenty-four cases have been struck out without prejudice to either party, as to being adjudicated on subsequently. These were cases in which several tenancies were comprised, and where a primâ facie doubt existed, such as would render a local inquiry necessary. So far as I can learn, no cases have as yet been absolutely dismissed on their merits.
§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether it was not the case that 100,000 tenants in Ireland would be found to be in arrears; and, if he would inquire what was the reason 168 that only 5,000 had applied to take advantage of the Act?
§ MR. TREVELYAN, in reply, said, he should require Notice of the Question, in which case he would try and get the information.