§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the legal proceedings taken by the Irish Land Commission last winter against 4,964 quasi-purchasers, and against 9.476 payers of interest in lieu of rent, in all cases added some costs to the original amount claimed: and whether he will state the number of these cases settled, with the minimum addition of costs and the aggregate amount of these costs; the number defended or resisted with an increase of costs, with the aggregate amount of these costs: the total addition to the original claims by the proceedings taken; the number of cases and total amount not recovered, and for which the 389 Development Grant and the grants otherwise payable to local bodies are liable; the number of farms occupied by defendants and not paid for; and the number sold in satisfaction of the claim?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe information asked for by the hon. Member could not be procured without imposing on the staff of the Land Commission, who are already fully occupied, an amount of labour out of all proportion to the value of the Return when made out. I cannot, therefore, ask them to supply these particulars. A good deal of the information which the hon. Member requires will be found in the last Annual Report of the Land Commission.