§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the difference of judicial opinion, there will be any further appeal as to the legality of advancing public money under the Land Act of 1903 as a price of insolvent property, irrespective of value, with a bonus added to that price, and for payment of irrecoverable arrears of rent, with a bonus added to their amount; whether money is advanced by the Treasury for payments of this character to any other class or section but Irish landlords; and whether he can suggest any reason for the indifference of the Treasury to these payments except the fact that Irish resources are liable.
§ MR. RUNCIMANI am not aware what difference of judicial opinion is referred to. The latter part of the Question is based on a misapprehension. Money is not advanced by the Treasury under the Land Purchase Acts. The Land Commission are responsible for the making of advances under those Acts, having regard to the provisions of the same as judicially interpreted.
§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if the Treasury have considered the financial soundness or unsoundness of a recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Ireland that the more embarrassed tenants are the more public money must be advanced for the purchase of their insolvent holdings, including irrecoverable arrears of rent with a bonus added to their amount; 64 will the Treasury appeal against that decision, or have its effect counteracted by administration or by legislation; and, if not, will he state the financial reasons for allowing the system to continue.
§ MR. RUNCIMANI am not prepared to discuss the matter of opinion in the hon. Member's first paragraph. I presume that the decision to which he refers is that in the matter of Crosbie's estate; and I understand that no appeal lies. The "system" referred to is that established by the Acts, and it is not the province of the Treasury to interfere with the administration of them or to introduce amending legislation.
§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the steady increase of local rates and taxes in Ireland, the growing liabilities upon the fund from which those local burdens have hitherto been relieved, and the fact that, under the Land Act of 1903, vendors are being paid eight years purchase of rent more than was found under previous purchase Acts to be the limits of safety for advances, whether the Treasury will in every case of sale prevent the advance of public money as price beyond the value of the thing sold as ascertained by official inspection.
§ MR. RUNCIMANUnder the Land Purchase Act of 1903 the Land Commission, and not the Treasury, are responsible for advances. I believe higher prices are now paid by purchasing tenants than under previous Land Purchase Acts, but this is the result of the Act.