HC Deb 13 July 1882 vol 272 cc263-5
MR. BRODRICK

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that Mr. Meek, who was appointed a Sub-Commissioner under the Land Act mainly on the recommendation of Sir William Conyngham, took a prominent part in organizing and accompanying to London a deputation from the Irish Estate of the Drapers' Company, to urge upon their Court the appointment of Sir William Conyngham to the post of agent for the said estate then vacant; and that Sir William Conyngham was shortly afterwards nominated to the office; and, whether the testimonial given by Sir William Conyngham was written previous to or subsequent to the interview referred to?

SIR HERVEY BRUCE

said, before the right hon. Gentleman answered, he should like to ask the hon. Member what grounds there were for bringing so grave a charge against a gentleman occupying so high a position in his (Sir Hervey Bruce's) county?

MR. BRODRICK

said, he simply had to state that the information as it stood in the Question was supplied to him from a trustworthy source; and he thought it desirable, under the circumstances, to put the Question, in order to afford an opportunity for an explanation.

MR. TREVELYAN

Mr. Meek was not appointed an Assistant Commissioner mainly on the recommendation of Sir William Conyngham. I quoted Sir William Conyngham's testimonial to show the opinion held of him by a leading Conservative in the County Derry. That testimonial is dated the 1st of April last. I do not know anything about the other matter alluded to in the Question. Mr. Meek was appointed by my Predecessor; and if there is any objection to the appointment, I think it ought to be brought before the House in a shape which will enable the right hon. Member for Bradford (Mr. W. E. Forster) to explain an appointment of a person as to whose qualifications he was satisfied. As there is a feeling about Mr. Meek sitting on a Sub-Commission with a gentleman before whom he had given evidence as a valuer, I expect that the Land Commissioners will appoint him to another district after the Vacation. I may mention that no complaint has been made as to Mr. Meek's conduct as Sub-Commissioner in any quarter.

MR. TOTTENHAM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the holding occupied by Mr. Thomas Meek contains more than 45a. 3r. 29p at a rent of £39 10s. per annum; whether the Government valuation of same is £40 15s. for the land, and £3 for the house and offices; and, whether he is the bona fide tenant of any other holding, or part of a holding, not comprised in the farms of other tenants, who have temporarily sublet portions to him at conacre rents?

MR. TREVELYAN

I have learned from the Land Commissioners, by telegraph, that they have received a letter from Mr. Meek, stating that his holding is correctly described in the Question. He is uncertain whether the division of the valuation between land and buildings is correctly stated, as he has not the figures at hand. He states that he is the bonâ fide, tenant of another holding taken from a head landlord for a term of years at full letting value—and further, that he has often rented land for one year for growing flax and for grazing—he had 70 acres in this way last year, but has none at present.