§ COLONEL COLTHURSTasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to a letter in the "Freeman's Journal" of the 13th instant, from six occupiers of land in Roscommon, complaining of the delay in issuing the preliminary forms requisite in applications for loans under section 31, Land Act (Ireland), 1881; whether these forms can be deposited with the local postmaster or others so as to facilitate the working of the system; and whether there is now an adequate staff of inspectors, with their work so arranged as to avoid all needless delay in sending in their reports?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, I have read the letter to which my lion, and gallant Friend refers, and have also seen the explanation in the same paper on the 16th, which shows that the former letter must have been written under a misapprehension. In another case I find there was really a delay of a week, which I regret, but believe it is not likely to occur again, as the office staff has been increased. There are now 18 Inspectors at work, so distributed as to do their work with the minimum of delay; and as these officers are supplied with forms for distribution in addition to those which can be obtained on application to the Dublin Office, I do not think it at present necessary to enter upon the difficulties which distribution through post offices would involve?