HC Deb 21 May 1914 vol 62 cc2109-10
12. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there has been any reduction of the staff, or of the expense, of the Estates Commissioners since 1911; if not, how is the fact accounted for that while in 1911 25,587 holdings were vested in the purchasers, only 20,861 were vested in 1913; if he can say, approximately, how many signers of purchase agreements are waiting to have their holdings vested on estates for sale in the all-cash, the part-cash, and part-stock, and the all-stock registers, respectively; how many of the latter have now been paying interest for seven years; and whether he can give any undertaking that the completion of sales will be expedited?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners' staff of inspectors has been reduced by five since 1911. The number of holdings vested and the amount of advances made during any given year are not a precise index of the work of the staff generally during that year, as they depend mainly upon the amount of cash available and the extent to which vendors choose to accept stock in lieu of cash. The number of holdings vested in 1911 was abnormally high, and the number vested in the year to 31st October, 1913, was greater than the average for the preceding five years. On 31st March last the number of holdings in direct sale cases awaiting vesting on the all-cash register was 63,023, part-cash, part-stock 13,011, all-stock 1,765, and cases under the Act of 1909–9,293. The Commissioners are now making advances in "all-cash" cases in respect of purchase agreements lodged in 1907, but there are still some agreements lodged prior to that year in respect of which interest in lieu of rent is being collected. The delay in these cases is unavoidable, being due to questions of title, turbary, embankments, and other causes. All possible steps are being taken to expedite the completion of pending sales.

Mr. GINNELL

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered that part of the question asking how many have been paying interest for seven years?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have not given the exact figures, but there are, of course, a certain number of persons still paying-interest for seven years.