§ MR. KETTLE (Tyrone, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state approximately the number of tenants in Ireland who still remain to be dealt with under the Purchase Act of 1903.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Land Commission inform me that the number of tenants who have purchased or agreed to purchase under the various Land Purchase Acts up to 31st October last, inclusive, was 323,853, but they are not in a position to say, even approximately, how many tenants may hereafter apply for advances. I may say, however, that it is believed that more than one-half the total number of tenants in Ireland have already purchased or agreed to purchase, but I am not prepared to hazard an estimate of the number now remaining.