Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Home Secretary the number of estates sold under the new Northern Ireland Land Act prior to the 1st May last, and the number of landlords paid; and if he will furnish an estimate of the number of estates likely to be sold and the number of landlords paid by 1st November, 1926, and 1st May, 1927?
§ Captain HACKINGThe Act of 1925 does not contemplate the sale of indivi- 1627W dual estates, but on appointed days, which may vary for different areas, the land automatically vests in the Land Purchase Commission. Before this transfer can take place, full particulars have to be supplied by the landlords. The time limit originally fixed for the lodging of these particulars was 1st October, 1925, but in many cases the owners of estates were unable to comply with the requirements of the Commission within the prescribed period. The period was, therefore, extended, and particulars have now been lodged of over 1,900 estates, comprising 37,000 holdings. Provisional and final lists of land to be vested in the Commission have been published as follows:
Provisional lists. Final lists. Estates. Estates. Published prior to 1st May, 1926 84 54 Published to present date 141 86 In the estates where final lists have been published to date, the total standard price amounts to £112,801 17s. 5d. It is unlikely that advances can be made for the sale of these estates before the 1st November next, and I regret I am not able to give any forecast of the position on the 1st May next.