§ Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much land has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board since the commencement of the War; and how much land has been reserved for men who have enlisted in the Amy or Navy for service in the present War.
§ Mr. DUKEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that since the outbreak of war 47,000 acres of tenanted land and 20,000 acres of untenanted land have been vested in them. In making allotments of untenanted land amongst the classes of persons prescribed in the Acts, the Commissioners, subject to their statutory obligations, give a preference to men who have served or are serving in the Army or Navy or have members of their families so serving; such men have not been classified separately, and the Commissioners are not therefore in a position to state the number to whom allotments have been made. The congested Districts Board inform me that since the declaration of war they have only purchased one estate on which there is practically no untenanted land.
§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the facilities for acquiring land in Ireland do not include the means of obtaining land in the immediate neighbourhood of cities, towns, and villages; and whether he will make further inquiry and place similar opportunities for land cultivation by allotment to urban dwellers in Ireland as are already in successful operation in England?
§ Mr. DUKEThe hon. Member was informed in answer to his question of 14th March last that the extension to Ireland of the powers contained in the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, for the provision of allotments by urban authorities is not practicable. Under that Act allotment schemes are intended to be carried out without loss to the local authorities, and in order to satisfy this requirement in the case of Irish towns it would be necessary to let the land at a figure which would be beyond the means of the labouring classes.