§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary how many estates have been sold in county Antrim under the Land Act of 1903, the acreage, the amount of the purchase price, and the number of years' purchase?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYPurchase agreements for the sale of 217 estates in county Antrim have been lodged under the Irish Land Act of 1903. The purchase money applied for is £2,511,306 and the average number of years' purchase is 24.6 for all classes of rent. Statistics as to the acreage are not available at present.
§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary how many estates were sold in county Antrim more than four years ago, the purchase money for which has not yet been paid by the Government; what is the amount of money required to pay for these estates; and whether, having regard to the loss inflicted on the tenants by the delay, he will take steps to raise the money at once?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYIn the case of twelve estates in county Antrim in which the purchase agreements were lodged before 31st March, 1906, the purchase money, amounting to £178,115, has not yet been advanced. In two of these cases the purchase money can be advanced when the requirements of the Estates Commissioners have been complied with. The other cases will be dealt with in order of priority.