asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of holdings of 50 acres and over which have been purchased by non-nationals during 1948, 1949 and the first quarter of 1950.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Holdings Purchased by Non-Nationals.
In a previous reply to the Deputy, on 15th February last, I explained that the only records available to me of purchases of property by non-nationals are those kept in connection with the higher rate of stamp duty imposed in 1947 on conveyances and transfers of property to them. There are records of those cases in which the consideration was £1,000 or more and in which the higher rate of duty was paid, but, as I also explained in my reply last February, the higher stamp duty is not necessarily payable in all cases of purchases of property by non-nationals.
I have ascertained that, according to the records, the numbers of cases in which the higher stamp duty was paid in connection with purchases of holdings of 50 acres and over were as follows for the years 1948 and 1949, respectively:—
|
Year 1948 |
6 |
|
Year 1949 |
4 |
In order to ascertain the number of cases for the first quarter of 1950 I am having inquiry made as to acreages of properties purchased, since this information is not recorded for stamp duty purposes. I would be obliged, therefore, if the Deputy would repeat his question, so far as it relates to the first quarter of 1950, in, say, a month.