§ * SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he has inquired to what extent English and Scotch insurance companies have lent money on the security of Irish landed estates; and, (2) whether he is in a position to affirm or deny that English and Scotch insurance companies are in the aggregate thus involved in Irish landed estates to the extent of over seven millions sterling?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo such inquiry as suggested has been attempted. The Government has not 264 power, nor would it be possible or desirable, to investigate the mortgage or other indebtedness of the owners of estates in Ireland, and no apparent advantage would result in attempting to distinguish between those incumbrance vested in English or Scotch insurances companies, and those vested in other public bodies, or in private persons. I am not in a position either to affirm or deny the statement made in the second paragraph.
§ * SIR JOHN COLOMBI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, before the Committee Stage on Clause 34 of the Land Law (Ireland) Bill, which provides for the forced sale of Irish estates to the tenants at any price fixed by the Land Commission, he will present a Return showing the aggregate amount of capital invested by English and Scotch insurance companies in those Irish estates which are now in the Incumbered Estates Court, and to which the provisions of Clause 34 would apply?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe Question does not correctly represent the terms of Clause 34, the price and the conditions at which the holdings are to be offered are to be determined by the Land Judge, having regard to what he may consider reasonable and just, taking into account "the interests of all persons interested in the estate." It would not be possible to obtain even an approximately accurate Return, such as that suggested in the Question, and even if such a Return could be obtained not just reason appears to exist for attempting to distinguish between debts due to English and Scotch insurance companies and those vested in either public bodies or in private persons.