§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the records of the Estates Commissioners, there are returns showing that in the years 1904 and 1905 estates were sold in the county of Wexford at an immediate cash price to vendors of more than twenty-three years' purchase, exclusive of bonus?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTH (Lord of the Treasury)The reports of the Estates Commissioners show that the average number of years' purchase of all classes of rents was 21.6 in the case of estates in county Wexford in respect of which advances were made in direct sales under the Irish Land Act, 1903, during the period from 1st November, 1903, to 31st March, 1905, and 22.1 for the period ending 31st March, 1906. There are no returns showing the number of years' purchase of the individual estates sold in the period mentioned, and this information could not be obtained without an examination of the details of all the estates sold in the period.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has had brought to his notice a statement made by the solicitors having carriage of sale of the Geoffrey Browne estate in counties Mayo and Galway; whether he is aware that the firm in question return the net selling price of the tenanted lands, taking Three per Cent. Land Stock at 85, to be 15.5 years' purchase, and of the untenanted lands in county Mayo to be 13.2 years' purchase, and the untenanted lands in county Galway 15.6 years' purchase, making a total offer by the Board on a cash basis equivalent to 14.6 years' purchase; 1927 and whether, in view of the fact that he has stated that the purchase price of tenanted land worked out, with bonus, at 18.1 years' purchase and of untenanted Ian, including bonus, at 22 years' purchase of net income, or an immediate cash price of 19.1 years' purchase, he will state how the discrepancy between the figures furnished by the solicitors having carriage of sale and those of the Board can be accounted for?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHMy right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the letter in question. In the case of the tenanted land the statement that the number of years' purchase was 15.5 is correct if the cash bonus is excluded and Stock is taken at 85. Adding the estimated bonus of £616 the immediate cash value to the owner works out at 18.1 years' purchase as stated in the reply to the hon. Member's question of the 6th instant. There is therefore no discrepancy on this point between that answer and the solicitor's letter. As regards untenanted land, the discrepancy arises from the fact that the solicitors have divided the purchase money by the gross instead of the net rental. According to the statement furnished to the Board on behalf of the vendors the gross rental was £941, out of which rates, taxes, and other specified outgoings amounting to £121 had to be paid, showing the annual value to the owner to be £820. The price offered for these lands was £15,928 Land Stock which, if Land Stock is taken at 85, is equivalent to £13,538 cash. This represents 16.5 years' purchase, exclusive of the bonus, or 19.1 years' purchase if the bonus is included.
§ Mr. NEWMANIs it a fact that the cash bonus may not go to this gentleman at all?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe matter was taken into consideration in the price.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked whether, in any Returns hitherto issued by the Estates Commissioners showing the number of years' purchase of judicial or non-judicial rent at which sales have been effected, it has been customary to include in the number of years' purchase the prospective cash bonus which may accrue to the vendor?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe reply is in the negative.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Crown has recently been compelled to make application to have the venue of trial in certain cases arising out of agrarian disturbance transferred to Dublin; whether by affidavit a county inspector stated that there existed in parts of Galway and Roscommon a strong agitation to compel landowners to part with their estates to the Congested Districts Board, and that, owing to the sympathy of the jurors with the object of the agitation, an impartial trial could not be secured; and whether at the earliest possible moment he will move for or appoint a Select Committee to investigate and report on the policy of the Board both in the sphere of land purchase and land distribution?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe answer to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for instituting the inquiry suggested in the last paragraph of the question.