§ Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary when and by whom and under what authority the name of the office formerly known as the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) was changed to that of the Land Registry (Ireland); and if he will state the reason for this change of name?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe style of the Department established under the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act, 1891, was fixed by the Orders of 1st September, 1910, made by the Land Judge, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, under the provisions of Section 94 of the Act of 1891. The name "Land Registry of Ireland" was chosen as being the name in which suits under Section 11 (2) of the Act must be brought, and also because the new style more accurately represents the work of the Department, which is that of the registration of the title to land.
§ Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that there is delay in dealing with work under the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act in the central office; whether this delay is due to congestion of work or under-staffing of the department; whether, in view of the increase of the work of this office consequent on the operation of the Land Purchase 191W Acts, any increase has been made in the office staff, and, if so, when, and to what extent; and will he state whether, in view of the fact that purchasers of holdings bought out under the Irish Land Purchase Acts may be seriously prejudiced by any delay in the registration of the conveyance to them, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to having the work under the Local Registration of Title Act disposed of efficiently and expeditiously?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that there has been delay in dealing with the work of this office, the number of applications for registration having considerably increased during the past year owing to the operation of the Land Purchase and Labourers Acts. Considerable additions have been made from time to time in the staff, and it is now double what it was a few years ago. Steps are now being taken to provide additional accommodation, and application is being made for the necessary sanction for such an increase of the staff as will be sufficient not only to clear off the arrears of work, but to deal with the work as it comes in.