§ MR. MCHUGHTo ask the Chief-Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how much money has been advanced by the Estate Commissioners for the Hazelwood demesne estate of Owen Wynne, in the rural district of Sligo; is it the practice of the Estates Commissioners to advance money for the sale of demesnes before advances are made for the purchase of the agricultural holdings on estates; what was the average number of years purchase paid by tenants on this estate who signed agreements; and how many tenants on the estate have refused or failed to sign agreements.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have advanced £79,378 for the purchase of the Hazelwood estate, of which £13,564 was advanced in respect of the demesne purchased under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. It is not the practice of the Commissioners to advance the 1442 purchase-money payable in respect of a demesne before the advances are made for the purchase of the agricultural holdings on an estate. The purchase-money of the 120 holdings on this estate in respect of which advances were made represented an average of 23.9 years purchase. Purchase agreements were not signed in respect of six of the holdings.