HC Deb 18 November 1912 vol 44 cc10-1
25. Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will state the dates on which the estates now being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners were lodged in the Commissioners' offices, distinguishing between the all- cash, half-cash, and half-stock, and all-stock estates; and will he give the official numbers of the various estates referred to, stating whether the estate numbers following will be dealt with in due regard to numerical sequence?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

No useful purpose would be served by giving the detailed particulars asked for, even if it were practicable to do so. The record number of an estate has no reference to its priority, which is determined by its position upon the principal register of direct sales (all cash), or on the half-cash half-stock, or all-stock register, as the case may be. These registers, which are open to inspection by interested persons, change from day to day, according as cases are dealt with or refused by the Estates Commissioners, and as parties elect to be transferred from one to the other.