§ MR. GILHOOLYTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, seeing that a tenant farmer in Ireland whose rateable valuation is 1007 £7 would be entitled to a loan of £50 under the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881, and that several tenant farmers who have recently applied have been refused such, loans, he will say whether such refusals are the result of a Treasury Minute; and whether small holders, who offer personal security in addition to the security of their holdings, will in the future be granted loans for the improvements of their farms.
§ (Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) Loans to occupiers under Section 31 (2) of the Act referred to are subject to the provisions of the Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Acts, so far as the Treasury may declare the same to be applicable. The Treasury have amongst others declared Section 18 of the Act 10 Vic., c. 32, applicable to such advances. This section empowers the Commissioners of Public Works with the sanction of the Treasury to make rules and regulations. The regulations now provide that no loan to an occupying tenant will be granted for a less sum than £35, nor will any loan be granted under ordinary conditions for a greater sum than three times the annual value or judicial rent of the holding to be charged. The rule may be relaxed if the applicant's landlord (being an absolute owner) joins in the loan, or where other acceptable collateral security is offered. Personal collateral security is not accepted. I am unable to recommend any variation of the existing limitations.