§ MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have negotiated for the sale to them of the interests of farmers with leases or judicial tenancies whose rents exceed £200, with the view to the division of their farms amongst tenants in possession of uneconomic holdings; what has been the total sum advanced or sanctioned for this purpose up to 1st May last; and has the money so advanced been charged on the new holdings at the same rate as the Land Act annuities for the purchase of the landlords' interests.
§ MR. WALTER LONGNo, Sir. The Commissioners inform me that advances under the Land Purchase Acts cannot be made for the purchase of tenants' interests.