§ 8. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the nature of the interest a tenant has in his land outside the rent or purchase annuity, and what sum tenants can obtain for their interest outside that charge?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA full answer to this question would occupy too much time. A tenant purchaser is owner of his holding subject to the payment of the land purchase annuity and any other charges. Subject to such charges he has the right of free sale. The price he can obtain for his interest depends on the circumstances of each case.
§ 9. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked what information exists to show that the price of tenant right has risen very considerably over a great part of Ireland; what prices have recently been obtained for tenant right; what advance do they show over the rights obtained in 1902; and to what cause is the rise in price attributed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Land Commission inform me that they have no official record as to the prices obtained for tenant right in Ireland, and have, therefore, no means of making the comparison suggested in the question.
§ 11. Mr. DELANYasked whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired the lands of Bordwell, Owen's estate, Queen's County, and, if so, how they propose to 532 dispose of them; whether there are a number of small holders in the locality whose farms require enlargement; and will the Commissioners see that no large farmer gets any portion of this land to the prejudice of the uneconomic holders?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. The wants and circumstances of the small holders in the locality will be fully considered by the Estates Commissioners when preparing a scheme for the allotment of the lands when acquired.
§ 14. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked whether any negotiations for the purchase of the untenanted lands at Cappananty, near Bruree, in the county of Limerick, have recently taken place between Captain Lyons, the owner of them, and the Estates Commissioners; if so, whether any agreement for their purchase has been arrived at; and, in the event of the Estates Commissioners having agreed to buy the lands, how soon will they apportion them among applicants in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe owner has recently accepted the Estates Commissioners' offer for the purchase of some 316 acres of the lands in the district referred to, and the Commissioners will take over possession of these lands and distribute them as soon as practicable.
§ 15. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the right hon. Gentleman whether the Estates Commissioners have yet taken any steps to complete the sale of the Mahony congested estate at Mount Collins, Abbey-feale, in the county of Limerick; and, if not, will he explain the cause of delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have arranged to acquire some additional land in the vicinity of this estate for the purpose of facilitating its resale, and when the statutory requirements as to title and other matters have been complied with they will proceed with the resale of the property.
§ 21. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been directed to the case of Thomas M'Goldrick, of Creenagh, county Longford, a sub-tenant on the farm of John Doyle, of Creenagh, who, notwithstanding that he is willing to purchase the tenant's interest in the subtenancy, is yet refused purchase under the Land Purchase Act; and will he direct the Commissioners to inquire into this case 533 and exercise such powers as they possess to secure this sub-tenant the benefit of the Land Purchase Act, 1909?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe question of this sub-tenancy was considered by the Estates Commissioners when dealing with the estate. They were not prepared to declare the small plot of 1 rood and 18 perches a separate holding for the purposes of sale under Land Purchase Acts. They were, however, prepared to vest the plot separately in M'Goldrick if he and Doyle, the tenant of the entire holding, came to terms as to price. This they failed to do and the entire holding was vested in Doyle.
§ Mr. FARRELLDo I understand that the transaction is completed and that this sub-tenant is shut out by the arrangement made?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think that is so.
§ 22. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Peter Whitney, Francis Whitney, Pat Whitney, James Fury, and Francis Fury, all of Esker North, county Longford, have been processed for three-years-old arrears of rent, notwithstanding that they have signed agreements to purchase their holdings in 1908; whether he is awre that these tenants are willing to pay interest in lieu of rent as well as the other tenants who signed at the same time; and will he direct the Estates Commissioners to intimate to the landlord that these proceedings are not to be continued?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, but no agreements signed by the tenants referred to in the question have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners. The Commissioners have no power to collect interest in lieu of rent until purchase agreements signed by these tenants have been lodged or to interfere with any legal proceedings the landlord may be taking for the recovery of rent due by these tenants.
§ Mr. FARRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these sub-tenants comprise practically half of the whole, and will the Estates Commissioners deal with these, especially having regard to the fact that half the tenants are not signing?
§ Mr. BIRRELLUntil the agreements have been signed by the tenants they have no power to do more than they are doing.
§ 97. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked why the Government have not adopted the method of financing land purchase in Ireland laid down in Section 5 of the Irish Land Act of 1909?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)The method of raising money temporarily by means of bills or bonds has not been adopted because it was not considered to be expedient.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONDid the right hon. Gentleman receive the opinions of various bankers?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI received different opinions, but I am sorry to say they are conflicting, and it is very difficult to decide between them.