HC Deb 11 March 1929 vol 226 cc790-1
15. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what was the total acreage of Irish land provided by Great Britain for Irish sailors and soldiers who fought in the great war under the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, in the Irish Free State and in Northern Ireland, respectively; and what is the total number of ex-service men provided with holdings in each of the above areas?

Mr. AMERY

The total acreage of land distributed as holdings for ex-service men in Ireland is in round figures, in the Irish Free State 10,000 acres, in Northern Ireland 2,400 acres. The number of holdings respectively is 360 and 61. In addition in Northern Ireland four ex-service men already in possession of holdings were assisted by way of grants for improvements.

Sir W. DAVISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the land has been allotted or whether there is land which has not been allotted?

Mr. AMERY

I think it has all been allotted.

Mr. THURTLE

Is it not a fact that there are six times as many small holdings provided in the Free State for ex-service men as there are in Northern Ireland.

Mr. AMERY

The figures are contained in my answer.