§ 1. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, having regard to the 535 decrease in the number of new holdings formed from untenanted land and vested by the Estates Commissioners in the last two completed years to less than half the previous yearly average, and to the necessity for expediting that work to meet the demand for increased food supplies, will he state the number of such holdings vested in the first quarter of the current financial year; the area the Commissioners are going to vest in the second quarter; what steps they are taking to enable them to vest a further area before next autumn; and what it is that prevents more rapid progress?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of parcels of untenanted land vested as separate holdings by the Estates Commissioners during the first quarter of the current financial year in purchasers under the Land Purchase Acts is 143. Allottees of untenanted land are placed in possession thereof as soon as practicable after such lands are acquired by the Commissioners, but the allotments are not vested in the purchasers until the improvement works thereon have been completed and all questions affecting title and other matters have been disposed of. It is accordingly impossible to state beforehand the number of holdings which will be vested in any given period, but, as I have already stated, the Estates Commissioners are using all possible dispatch in the resale of lands purchased by them.
§ Mr. GINNELLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not they are actually increasing the number vested?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have here the figures, which I will send to the hon. Member, showing that 143 in one quarter is a very good average, and will make up quite as large a number as they were able to do in larger years. In 1910–11 there were 647, in 1911–12, 615, and so on, showing that 143 is quite up to average. I will endeavour to press the matter forward as far as I can.
§ 49. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister whether he will take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the obliteration of party distinctions to redeem his pledge and assurance of 16th October, 1912, that land purchase in Ireland should be completed at the earliest possible date by introducing for that purpose now a Bill which from its source would be non-contentious?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to his question on this subject on the 29th April last.
§ Mr. GINNELLDoes not the formation of the Coalition make any difference in this matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNot in the necessity of subordinating all matters involving expenditure of public funds to the successful prosecution of the War.