§ Mr. CREANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he was aware that the Board of Works (Ireland) had refused to sanction loans to tenants who had signed for purchase of their holdings, but to whom the vesting order had not been issued, on the ground that there was no certainty that such agreements would be sanctioned, and if the Commissioners should, on final investigation, so refuse such tenants would have to pay all arrears, including the amount added to purchase-money; and whether, in view of the uncertainty of these tenants as to their future position, steps would be taken by the Estates Commissioners to ascertain the facts and to issue such certificates as 1525 would satisfy the Board of Works and all parties concerned as to whether the vesting order would or would not be finally issued?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI understand that the Estates Commissioners are unable to adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the hon. Member's question. With regard to loans made by the Board of Works, tenants who have signed agreements to purchase are treated like other tenants, and if they have arrears of more than twelve months rent, this is a bar to their obtaining loans. But the Board have, with the sanction of the Treasury, made arrangements by which, if certain conditions are fulfilled, this difficulty can be met.