§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary if he will state, under the name of vendor or other convenient word, the separate purchases of untenanted land made by the Estates Commissioners in Westmeath to the present date, the area in each case, the number of new holdings formed from it, the number of holdings enlarged, the amount allocated for labourers, the amount for any other purposes, the total number of new holdings, enlargements, and labourers' allotments so provided in that county, the amount of untenanted land purchased by the Commissioners in that county and not yet distributed, and the amount comprised in estates in that county now pending before them for sale?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have acquired 5,585 acres of untenanted land in county Westmeath, of which 645 acres have not yet been allotted. In the allotment of the remaining 4,940 acres 62 new holdings have been created, comprising 1,710 acres (including 130 acres allotted to seven labourers), and 185 holdings have been enlarged by the addition of 3,230 acres. Proceedings are pending before the Commissioners for the sale of a further area of 2,224 acres in that county. Detailed particulars of estates and untenanted land purchased by the Commissioners are given in the Monthly Returns of Advances presented to Parliament according as the land is vested in the purchasers.