HC Deb 07 March 1892 vol 2 cc145-6
MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many applications of sale and purchase under the Land Purchase Act of last year were made to the Irish Land Commissioners last month; how many landlords and how many tenants were concerned in these applications; and what total sums have been applied for, sanctioned, and issued respectively from the passing of the Act up to the present time?

MR. MADDEN

The Irish Land Commissioners report that the number of applications under the Land Purchase Act of last year received during the month of February, 1892, was 180. The landlords concerned numbered 42, and the tenants 180. From the passing of the Act up till 29th February, 1892, the sums applied for amounted to £192,692, and the sums sanctioned to £6,136. No loans have yet been issued.

MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea if applications were made, and, if so, how many on behalf of tenants and not agreed to by landlords?

MR. MADDEN

I hardly understand the question of the hon. Member. Of course, applications do not come before the Land Commission unless landlord and tenant agree.

MR. W. REDMOND

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to show in how many cases while tenants have been willing to come to agreements landlords have not been willing?

MR. MADDEN

No, we have no official information of abortive negotiations between landlords and tenants, and no means by which we could obtain such information.

MR. W. REDMOND

Or non-official information?

MR. MADDEN

Neither officially or non-officially do we know anything of abortive negotiations between landlords and tenants.