§ MR. HAYDENTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount actually advanced by way of loan and bonus under the Land Purchase Act of 1903, and the amount advanced under previous Acts, for the purchase of land by occupiers in Ireland; and if he is yet in a position to give the amount involved in the agreements lodged under the Act of 1903 up to the end of October in the present year, and the amount of the same lodged during the month of October.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the amount advanced under the Land Purchase Acts, 1870 to 1896, was £23,886,392. The amount advanced under the Irish Land Act, 1903, up to 31st October last was £25,331,240, and the amount of bonus actually distributed up to the same date was £2,536,217. The Commissioners are not yet in a position to give the total amount involved in agreements lodged under the Act of 1903 up to 31st October.