§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether separate accounts are kept of costs incurred in the recovery of arrears of purchase annuities and in the recovery for ex-landlords of arrears of interest in lieu of rent respectively; whether the ex-landlords bear all the costs in the latter class of cases; and whether they make any payment to the State for collecting this money for them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Land Commission inform me that each case in which proceedings are taken for the recovery of arrears is dealt with separately. The costs depend upon the nature and result of the proceedings. The 35th section of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896, provides that interest in lieu of rent shall be collected and recoverable by the Land Commission in like manner as if it was an instalment of a purchase annuity. The ex-landlords are not parties to the proceedings, and neither bear nor recover costs in such cases. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what causes the delay in the purchase and distribution of the Featherston ranch at Milltown, Westmeath; what point the pro- 1824 ceedings have reached; and by what date is it now expected that the land will be available for distribution?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the owner deferred acceptance of the Commissioners' offer to purchase this estate pending the decision of a question of law as to the rate of bonus payable. This has now been decided by the Judicial Commissioner, and when the offer is accepted the purchase of the property will' be proceeded with.