§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction, both to landlord and tenants, in the operation of the Land Act of 1903 on account of the delays that are taking place in the Land Commissions; whether he is aware that those having charges on their estates, having to meet interest arising, are obliged to meet the difference between the interest in lieu of rent and the amount of the interest on the different charges; whether the Estates Commissioners have money to meet the different estates whose agreements were lodged before September, 1904; and, if so, what is the cause of the delay that has taken place in the proceedings.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) It is, I fear, the case that some inconvenience has been caused, both to landlords and tenants, by the delay which has occurred in making advances. The hon. Member is, I think, mistaken in assuming that this delay is preventable. When the Irish Land Bill of 1903 was introduced the sum of £5,000,000 a year was named as the highest rate at which purchase could take place for the first three years. This rate has been considerably exceeded, and it is estimated that by the end of three years from the commencement of the Act nearly £20,000,000 will have been issued in advances, exclusive of the amount of the bonus.