§ SIR J. GORSTI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inform the House, in the form of a Return, or otherwise, what is the total amount of the loans comprised in Clause 14 of the Government of Ireland Bill; what are the Acts of Parliament under which they have been advanced; what is the average currency of such loans from the present time; and what is the average rate of interest payable thereon?
§ *SIR J. T. HIBBERTThe loan statements which are to be found in the annual Finance Accounts give full details of the loans which would be comprised under Clause 14 of the Government of Ireland Bill, and the Acts under which the advances have been made. The currency of the loans in Ireland made by the Commissioners of Public 135 Works and the Public Works Loan Commissioners varies considerably, but the most prevalent currency of such loans is 35 years. The amount of interest received in respect of these loans in 1892-3 was £265,137 on a total amount outstanding of £7,864,358, which would give an average rate of interest of about £3 7s. 6d. The Return moved for by the hon. Member for the South Division of Huntingdonshire (Mr. Smith-Barry), which will be immediately issued, will afford additional information respecting these loans. The loans made by the Irish Land Commissioners under what are called the "Ashbourne Acts" are, as the right hon. Member is aware, repayable in 49 years, with interest at the rate of 3⅛ per cent, per annum.
§ SIR J. GORSTDo the Ashbourne loans come within Clause 14?
§ *SIR J. T. HIBBERTYes.