§ MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN (Tipperary, Mid.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the estate of 1302 Michael J. Barry, at Gortkelly, Upper Church, county Tipperary, agreed to purchase their holdings, and that the agreements for purchase were signed and lodged with the Land Commission prior to 1st November, 1905; and, if so, should the interest to the landlord be payable half-yearly pursuant to the statute; and did the Land Commission collect the same half-yearly, with the result that now, for the first time, on the eve of a third half-year becoming due, they demand a full year's interest from the tenants.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Land Commission agreed to purchase this estate on 21st November, 1905, from which date they are bound under statute to pay the vendor 3½ per cent. interest on the purchase money until the same is distributed. The tenants on their part agreed to pay to the Land Commission interest at 3½per cent. on the purchase money of their respective holdings, and such interest takes the place of rent. Owing to an oversight the interest due on 1st May. 1906, was not then demanded from the tenants, but it has been demanded with the half-year due on 1st November, and the tenants have been informed that the Land Commission are bound to collect it.