§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH (Fermanagh, N.)To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the provisions of Section 54 of the Irish Land Act of 1903, placing restrictions on the borrowing of money by purchasers on the security of their land; is he aware that these provisions drive borrowers to money lenders at oppressive rates for loans on personal security, and that judgments are then obtained by the money lenders and registered against the lands; that the section does not prevent judgment for any amount being so registered; has his attention been directed to the fact 243 that the section prevents the prudent raising of money for improvement or stocking of the lands; and will he advise that the section should be repealed.
§ (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) I must refer my hon. and learned friend to the Answer given by my right hon. friend the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland to an almost identical Question put by him on the 27th of February last.† The section referred to was passed by Parliament with the general assent of all parties, and I do not think that there is any general demand for its repeal. I cannot, therefore, advise the Government to introduce a Bill for the purpose.