§ MR. RATHBONE (Carnarvonshire, Arfon)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will tell the House what amount, up to the most recent practicable date, of the total sum hitherto advanced or agreed to be advanced, for the purchase of Irish holdings under the Ashbourne Act, has been applied to the purchase of holdings of £30 a year rental and under, and what amount to the purchase of holdings over £30; and if he will give the House the same in- 369 formation as to holdings under and over £50 per aunnm?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Irish Land Commissioners report that it would take a considerable time to classify the cases (numbering over 15,000) in which advances have been made so as to give the particulars indicated in the question. The Commissioners, however, refer to page 10 of their last Annual Report (House of Commons Paper, No. 6,233 of 1890), in which the advances are classified according to amounts, and which might possibly be of assistance to the hon. Member in respect of the object he has in view.