§ MR. JACKSONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what is the total amount outstanding of loans made by the Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland), and whether he can state the amount of principal, and of interest, separately?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTThe amounts outstanding on loans (including those made out of the Church Fund) made by the Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) are at the present time approximately as follows:—Principal, £8,643,000; interest, £255,000: total, £8,898,000.
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)Has any inquiry or calculation been made by the Treasury as to the proportion of this total sum which may be held to be irrecoverable?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTI cannot say.
§ MR. SEXTONIn view of the very close scrutiny which is likely to be applied to this matter in forthcoming Debates I hope the right hon. Gentleman will get the information as soon as possible.
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTCertainly.