§ MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners can state the total amount of arrears of interest at 3½ per cent. on the purchase money which has been uncollected, and also the amount forgiven to the tenant purchasers on the King-Harman. Estate, and for what period has it been remitted; when will the vesting orders be issued in the case of the purchasers in the town of Boyle as well as on the rural portions of the estate; and what has been the cause of the delay in issuing these orders, seeing that the terms of sale were agreed to in November, 1903.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Interest at 3½ per cent. on the purchase money is, in accordance with the agreement entered into by the purchasers, due by them 970 for the period from 9th November, 1904, to 19th May, 1905, when the advances were made; and receivable orders for the amounts due have recently been, issued. No rent or arrears of rent were payable to the Land Commission, and they have no knowledge whether any such arrears were remitted. The Commissioners have not finally agreed to purchase the town of Boyle, and the holdings cannot, therefore, yet be vested in the tenants. The rural holdings will be vested in the tenants at an early date.