§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if, in order to illustrate the effect of the improvements and increased work he promised in the House last Session, he will 1720W state the number of vesting orders issued to land purchasers in Ireland during the first six months of 1910, as compared with the number issued during the first six months of each of the preceding six years?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of holdings vested in purchasers in the periods mentioned in the question were:—
1st Jan, to 30th June. 1904 … … … 3,523 1905 … … … 7,524 1906 … … … 8,526 1907 … … … 7,259 1908 … … … 8,046 1909 … … … 9,576 1910 … … … 8,323 As regards the figures for half-year ended 30th June last, it should be explained that vendors were allowed up to 1st April to elect under the Act of 1909 whether they would accept payment partly in cash and partly in stock or wholly in stock. The estates of those who elected to accept payment in stock were as a rule low down on the priority list, and had not been inspected on 1st April. The inspection of these estates is now being proceeded with as rapidly as practicable, but the vesting orders cannot be issued until the inspectors' reports have been ruled on by the Estates Commissioners and their requisitions complied with. It has not been found possible up to 30th June to vest any considerable number of the holdings on these estates, but it is expected that a large number will be ready for vesting at an early date.