HC Deb 22 November 1888 vol 330 cc1829-30
MR. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in any cases, the landlords have left more than one-fifth of the purchase money in the hands of the Land Commission as security for the payment of the instalments by the tenants; and, if so, in how many cases, and the amount of purchase money involved in these cases?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN) (Dublin University)

(who replied) said: The Land Purchase Commissioners report that in exceptional cases they have deemed it desirable, in the interests of the State, to require a larger guarantee deposit than one-fifth; but that, as no separate record has been kept of such cases, it would be impossible for them to furnish the information required in the concluding portion of the Question without an investigation which would occupy several days.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

asked, whether it was a fact that when a tenant had paid in one-fifth of the purchase money this deposit was handed over to the landlord?

MR. MADDEN

replied that it was so when one-fifth of the principal was discharged by payment of the annuity.

MR. BRUNNER

asked, that instructions should be given to the Commissioners to keep a record in future of the particulars asked for in the Question.

MR. MADDEN

said, he had no power to give instructions to the Commissioners; but he would lay the suggestion before them.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

asked that the information should be collected and supplied by next week, before the final passage of the present Bill.

MR. MADDEN

said, he was afraid that would be impossible.

In reply to Mr. BRUNNER,

MR. MADDEN

said, this Question was in the Irish Office on Monday, and he had employed the telegraph in making the necessary inquiries in Ireland.