§ MR. REDDY (King's County, Birr)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that the average price paid in Cork County under the Ashbourne Act was 15.1 years purchase, and under the 1903 Act the vendor received 23.8 years purchase, an increased price amounting to 57½ per cent.; can he say how much land sold in Cork County under the Act of 1903 was proposed to be sold under the Ashbourne Act, the inspector reporting on behalf of the Treasury want of security for advance; and whether these lands have been sold at the inflated price of 57½ per cent. advance under the Act of 1903 due to want of inspection.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe average price under the Irish Land Act, 1903, quoted by the hon. Member included the bonus. There are no records showing what holdings, if any, were sold to tenants under the Act of 1903 in respect of which advances had been refused under the prior Land Purchase Acts.