§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what does he estimate to be the number and acreage of the holdings in each province in Ireland which will be excluded from the operation of the Land Purchase Bill by Clause 6, (a) as pasture, and (b) because the tenant is non-resident; and what are the sources of the information upon which his estimate is based?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have hot got the figures with me to-day, and I am unable to give the hon. Gentleman an account. Perhaps it will be more convenient to defer the question until I am able to obtain the figures.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think so.
§ In reply to a question by Mr. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.),
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR saidThere is no doubt that" pasture" includes beth dairy pasture and stockland. I will endeavour, if possible, to obtain particulars in regard to each.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThe right hon. Gentleman is probably aware that his Bill is really more stringent than the Land Act of 1881.
§ MR. M. KENNY (Tyrone, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the Committee stage of the Land Department (Ireland) Bill will be proceeded with immediately after the Purchase of Land and Congested Districts (Ireland) Bill has passed through Committee?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think it is desirable at this stage to make any definite promise.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill it be taken before the Third Reading of the Land Purchase Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI shall be prepared to answer the question when we reach that stage.