§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in the case of a purchasing tenant applying for a loan to the Board of Works for the erection of hay-barns, etc., the Board requires to be furnished with information as to the amount of the running gale due at the time of purchasing, the difference between the annuity and the old rent, the number of years that elapsed between the date of signing the purchase agreement and the date on which application is made for the loan; and whether he is 331 aware that, if the difference between the annuity and the old rent multiplied by the number of years that elapsed between the signing of the agreement and the date of application and added to the running gale exceed one year's rent, the application is thrown out; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am obliged to the hon. Member for calling attention to the question. The Board of Works have recommended that the liability of the tenant for the difference between rent and interest upon purchase money, contingent on the purchase of his lands not being approved by the Land Commission, should not be by itself considered as a reason for postponing a loan when the question of arrears of rent is being examined; and the Treasury have agreed that the present procedure should be altered to this extent.