§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the number of writs issued for the recovery of land purchase annuities in Ireland, with the aggregate amount for which they were issued, in each of the last ten years to 31st December, 1906, and the number of purchasers in arrear on this latter date, 848 with the aggregate amount of their arrears due to the State.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Land Commission inform me that there are no records in their office giving the information asked for, and that to obtain even approximate figures would involve a lengthy investigation which would seriously retard the performance of the proper duties of the Department. It may be stated in general terms that the payment of land purchase annuities has been most punctual, and that in comparatively few cases have proceedings been necessary. At the present date, out of 97,890 tenant purchasers, only 473 are in arrear in respect of the annuities due in May and June last, and against these, proceedings for recovery have been instituted and are in various stages of progress.