§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number and the acreage of the estates for sale in the Land Judge's Court in Ireland on the 31st December, 1902, and the names of the owners of such estates.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) I am informed that the preparation of a return containing this information would, in the opinion of the Land Judge, make such demands upon the time and labour of his staff as would seriously impede the working of his Court. Under the circumstances, and at a time of pressure like the present, I am reluctant to ask the Judge to undertake the return, and regret, therefore, that I cannot consent to it. I may add, however, that among the returns which I have promised to lay before Parliament in connection with the forthcoming Land Bill is one giving full information under a number of different heads in respect of the operations of the various Land Purchase Acts. This return will show the extent to which Section 40 of the Land Act of 1896, administered by the Land Judge, has been availed of down to the end of last year.