HC Deb 27 November 1890 vol 349 cc131-2
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will lay upon the Table or assent to a Return giving particulars of the cases in which the Land Commission has received applications from purchasers of their holdings under the Land Purchase Acts, 1885 and 1888, for an extension of the time of purchase or an abatement in the amount of instalments due?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The Irish Land Commissioners report that some memorials of the nature in question and of a stereotyped character have been received. I do not see that any public advantage would be gained by laying them upon the Table.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from several counties in Ireland memorials upon this subject have been presented, and that they are not "stereotyped?"

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. There have been memorials presented, but I do not know where they came from.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

Then, are we to have no information in regard to them?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have given the hon. Gentleman all the information in my possession.

MR. J. MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

We attach great importance to these memorials and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not in perfect conformity with official usage, and would it not conduce to convenience to have the documents laid upon the Table?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have already given my opinion as to the value of the documents. As to the other question, I will make inquiry, and if I find that it is in accordance with the practice I will grant the Return.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary whether he will lay upon the Table, or assent to a Return, giving particulars of the cases in which the Land Commissioner has obtained decrees of ejectment of purchasers under the Land Purchase Acts, 1885–8, for arrears in payment of their instalments of principal and interest?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

If I am made aware of the particulars that are required I will do my best to give them. Ejectment proceedings are not taken against defaulting purchasers by the Irish Land Commissioners; but the holdings are put up for sale. Very few, however, of such cases have occurred. In the cases of upwards of 11,000 tenant purchasers during the five years in which the Act has been in operation, it has been necessary to put up for sale the holdings of 27 only. If the hon. Member will be good enough to place a notice on the Paper detailing the particulars he desires in regard to these holdings, the practicability of granting a Return will be considered.

MR. E. HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)

Is it the fact that in many cases the rent has been paid out of the purchase money, and that in many cases the landlords have agreed that two years of the purchase money should be set aside for that purpose?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir; I have heard nothing of the kind.

MR. E. HARRINGTON

Then you will be made aware of it.