§ 17. Mr. CLANCYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the necessity of securing more land for the production of food in rural districts in that country, of the impossibility of procuring land in sufficient quantity for that purpose, and of the number of persons, agricultural labourers and others, especially in the county of Dublin, who have no land, or, altogether, too little laud, he will now, without further delay, apply Regulation 21, which has already been applied for the benefit of urban districts, to rural districts in Ireland?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)I am making inquiries -on this subject.
§ 18. Mr. CLANCYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that some estates for sale in the Land Judge's Court, consisting in part of considerable areas of land now untenanted and in grass, run the risk of being sold to private individuals unless the Estates Commission, which has power to make an offer of purchase but power only to pay in stock, is furnished with cash for the purpose of such purchase, he will consider the advisability of providing it with cash before the time has lapsed for doing so with any advantage, and so providing land for the production of food by persons who are themselves unable to advance the purchase money?
§ Mr. DUKENo such funds are at the disposal of the Irish Office, and I see no present prospect of additional funds being provided.