Captain CRAIGI beg to ask MR. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that nearly £30,000,000 is now required to meet land purchases under the Irish Land Act of 1903, actually arranged voluntarily between landlord and tenant; and whether he can inform the House of the nature of the arrangements by which he proposes to avoid any fresh issue of Guaranteed 2¾ per cent. Stock for Irish land purchase before 31st December next.
§ MR. ASQUITHAs the hon. and gallant Member is probably aware, there are many processes to be gone through, after an agreement for sale has 883 been concluded, before the purchase money can be handed over to the vendor; and the sum of, £30,000,000 to which he refers does not in any sense represent actual cash requirements during the next few months. The arrangements which are being made to provide the amount which will be required for cash advances during the remainder of the current calendar year were explained in the reply I gave to a Question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Worcestershire, on Monday last.†
§ SIR E. CARSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any sales in Ireland are being delayed from want of cash?
§ MR. ASQUITHSo far as I know, none.