§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay in completing the sale to the tenants on the Wade estate, at Crossakill, county Meath, and the Naper estate, in the same district, for which purchase agreements were lodged in 1907; whether he is aware that interest in lieu of rent is payable at the rate of 3¾ and 4 per cent., respectively, on these estates; and whether, having regard to the loss to the tenants in consequence of the delay, he will ask the Estates Commissioners to investigate the whole matter.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThese estates are the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendors to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and cannot be dealt with until they are reached in order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). Meanwhile the Commissioners are under statutory obligation to collect the interest in lieu of rent which the tenants in their purchase agreements contracted to pay.
§ Mr. HAZLETONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Estates Commissioners can say whether for many years 603W past four large holders on the Keating estate, county Galway, have been paying 3¼ per cent, on the purchase money, while other tenants have been paying 3½ per cent.; and, if so, what is the reason for this?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the four holdings referred to were sold by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and have been vested in them. The rest of the property which was congested was purchased by the Commissioners, and they have not yet vested the holdings in the tenants, as they are desirous of carrying out a scheme of improvement and migration, if practicable. Pending vesting of the lands the tenants are liable for payment of interest at 3½ per cent, under Section 18 of the Irish Land Act, 1903.The Commissioners propose to deal with this estate at an early date.