asked the Minister for Lands if the Government proposes to rescind the Order prohibiting the Land Commission from acquiring land for the relief of congestion pending the present emergency; and, if so, when.

No Order in the terms of the Deputy's question has been made. The position is that, in view of the present shortage (due to emergency conditions) of staff, of building and other materials required for land division and of petrol for transport, the Land Commission have found it necessary to confine proceedings for the acquisition of further untenanted land virtually to urgent cases, to cases where commitments have been entered into, or to lands urgently needed for purposes of turbary, forestry or rearrangement. The Land Commission are carrying on their work for the relief of congestion as far as possible in existing circumstances and any extension of their activities must relate to the existence of the emergency.

Am I to understand that the Land Commission is now allowed to purchase land in urgent cases?

Yes.

Are they exercising that power?

Certainly.

Have they purchased any land since the commencement of the emergency?

This year, roughly 20,000 acres have been purchased and divided.

Am I to understand that the Land Commission has, this year, purchased new land for the relief of congestion?

In the year ended 31st March, 1943, roughly, 20,000 acres were purchased and, roughly, 20,000 acres were divided.

I am asking merely as to the purchase. Were 20,000 acres purchased this year?

Yes.

Would the Minister say in which counties these lands were purchased?

I should require notice of that question.

What steps does the Minister propose to take to prevent the sale of land by auction in congested areas?

That is a separate question.

How many thousand acres remain in the hands of the Land Commission undivided?

I should require notice of that question.