§ MR. LOUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the fact that the rate of progress at which agreements for sale under the Land Purchase Act, 1903, are being made makes it clear that the anticipation that twenty years would be required to complete the transfer of Irish land was excessive, and having regard to the urgency of the situation and the appeals that have been addressed to the Government by representatives of landlords and tenants, whether he intends, before the session closes, to place sufficient funds at the disposal of the Estates Commissioners, or to take any other steps, such as offering stock at market value to vendors who may be willing to take such in payment, or by any other means to meet the difficulty.
§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)Can the right hon. Gentleman also tell the House what financial measures are being adopted to remove the block in the Land Judge's Court?
§ MR. WALTER LONGThis matter has engaged my anxious consideration, and I have formulated a proposal in alleviation of the present situation which I will explain at length in Committee of Supply on Thursday next.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)asked whether this would involve any legislation.
§ MR. WALTER LONGreplied that it might be necessary to secure a small Amendment of the Land Act, which imposed an obligation that the landlord should be paid in one form only. If his plan was adopted it would be necessary to give an option in this matter.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDgave notice that, so long as the new regulations which had been issued by the Government were in force, he should oppose by every means in his power any such proposal.
§ MR. WALTER LONGNo. Sir. I do not think I can go any further than I have done.