§ SIR JOHN COLOMBTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of owners and occupiers who have availed themselves of the provisions of Section 36 of the Land Act of 1896 (59 and 60 Vic, c. 47); whether any inquiry has been made into the effect of the provision of the clause for fining down rent; and, if so, whether he will present to the House the report of any such inquiry, or any information relating thereto.
§ (Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) There has been only one case in which the provisions of Section 36 of the Land Act of 1896 have been availed of. In that case the original agreement was made in June, 1900, and the application, which was not under Section 36 but under the ordinary provisions of the Land Purchase Acts, was for the advance of the whole purchase money, £3,750, for the holding, the rent of which was £204. The parties were informed, having regard to the provisions of the Act of 1888, that not more than £3,000 could be advanced. Ultimately the agreement was withdrawn, and in May, 1901, a new agreement was entered into under the 36th Section of the Act of 1896, and upon it £3,000 was advanced and a perpetual rent-charge of £34 was reserved, payable to the vendor. The Commissioners are not aware that any inquiry such as is referred to in the latter part of the Question has been held.