asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of hotels and other licensed premises which have been purchased by non-nationals during each of the years 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchases by Non-Nationals.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of holdings of 100 acres and over which have been purchased by non-nationals during each of the years 1946, 1947 and 1948.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 43 and 44 together.
For periods prior to 1st December, 1947, there are no records as to the nationality of purchasers of property. From that date, however, the higher rate of stamp duty (25 per cent.) provided for by Section 13 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1947, was payable on conveyances and transfers to non-nationals of lands and buildings, save as provided in the section. Records have been kept of all cases in which the higher stamp duty was paid and where the consideration was £1,000 or more. From these it has been ascertained that the numbers of transfers to individuals of hotels and other licensed premises which were subjected to the higher duty were as follows:—
Month of December, 1947, Nil; whole of year 1948, 4; whole of year 1949, 2.
It should be borne in mind that the section does not impose the higher stamp duty in respect of all conveyances and transfers to non-nationals. There are certain exceptions; for example, the exception in favour of persons ordinarily resident in the State who had been so ordinarily resident during the three years immediately preceding 15th October, 1947.
As to the Deputy's second question, here again there is no information for periods prior to 1st December, 1947, and, moreover, acreages of property purchased are not recorded in connection with stamp duty. I am having further inquiry made, however, in regard to the question of acreages of land in cases where the higher stamp duty was payable and should be obliged if the Deputy would repeat his question, so far as it relates to the period subsequent to 30th November, 1947, in, say, a month.