HC Deb 10 March 1904 vol 131 cc729-30
MR. FIELD

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount realised since the last Return of Irish quit and Crown rents redeemed; whether he will have these funds set aside and attributed †See (4) Debates,, cxxiii., 629. to Crown or other purposes in Ireland, and no longer, as hitherto, invested in Great Britain.

(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The last return extended to 31st March, 1902. The amount realised between that date and 31st March. 1903 (the latest date to which the accounts have been made up), is £17,379. The Crown Lands Act, 1829, Section 52, provides that these moneys shall be invested in the purchase of land or other hereditaments, or the redemption of charges or encumbrances on land already belonging to the Crown, and under Section 109 of that Act and certain other Crown Lands Acts sums not immediately wanted for these purposes may be invested in trustee securities. A sum of £15,636 has been invested in Bank of Ireland Stock, and other Irish investments are under consideration.