HC Deb 06 May 1897 vol 48 cc1597-8
MR. J. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland why only ten cases were listed for hearing on the last occasion on which the Land Commissioners sat at Larne, while many other cases in which application had been made in October last were not dealt with; and when a Commission will again sit at Larne?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The last list for the Larne Union contained all applications to fix fair rents for a first statutory term which were received in the office of the Land Commission on or before 24th October, 1896, and all similar applications for a second statutory term received prior to 9th October, 1896. At the time the Larne list was prepared, the Commissioners were unable to list cases from that Union beyond the dates above specified, having regard to the number of cases then being remitted to the Sub-Commissions from the different districts. The Commissioners will arrange a sitting at Larne on as early a date as possible consistent with the claims of other districts.

MR. DILLON

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to mention any date approximately?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, Sir, I am afraid that I cannot do so.

MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the case of tenants who obtain, a reduction in their purchase annuities under Sub-Section (5) of Section 25 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896, for how many years will it be necessary for them to pay the reduced annuity before their capital liability to the State is extinguished?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

For some years to come the tenants who will obtain reductions under Sub-Section (5) of Section 25 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896, will be those only to whom advances were made under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1885, and previous Purchase Acts. The effect of the reduction in these cases at the end of each decade will be to extend the term for 49 years, provided the annuity remains 4 per cent, on the amount of the advance on each such occasion ascertained to be unpaid, and that the interest portion of the annuity continues as hitherto at 3⅛ per cent.