§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the number of cases in which proceedings involving cost have been initiated by or on behalf of the Irish Land Commission for recovery of arrears of instalments and of rents respectively in operations under the Land Act of 1903, from the 1st November 1903 to the 31st March 1907.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Land Commission inform me that the preparation of Returns giving the precise information asked for in the Question would occupy much time, and would necessarily interfere with the work of collecting annuities. It will probably be sufficient for the hon. Member's purpose to state that on 1st December 1906, there were 32,449 payers of annuities under the Act of 1903. In March 1907 the Commissioners found it necessary to direct proceedings against 469 of these persona for the recovery of arrears. Two hundred and forty-nine of these have since paid, and the proceedings against the remaining 220 are in various stages. If the hon. Member will refer to the Annual Reports of the Land Commission, he will find in the Appendices full particulars of every annuity in arrear for one year and upwards.