§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the number of purchase agreements lodged with the Estates Commissioners since 1st March last, and the amount of purchase money which they represent; whether such agreements are entered into on the basis that the tenant is to pay an annuity at the rate of 3¼ per cent.; and how such agreements will be dealt with when the Land Bill passes into law?
§ Mr. BIRRELLFrom 1st March last up to the 21st inst., 4,484 purchase agreements in cases of direct sales by landlords to tenants, representing a purchase money of £1,052,834, were lodged with the Estates Commissioners. The annuities set out in the applications of the tenants for advances are calculated at the rate of 3¼ per cent. I 2527W am not prepared at present to make a statement as to the manner in which it is intended to deal with these cases, but the matter will, I hope, be settled before the recommittal stage of the Land Bill.