§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Tyrone, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Why the sittings of the Land Sub-Commissioners at Aughnacloy in February last were abandoned; where and when the next sittings will be held; and, what arrangements will be made to obviate the possibility of a fresh disappointment to litigants?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)The sittings at Aughnacloy were abandoned because the sittings at the preceding town, Dungannon, were unexpectedly protracted, in consequence of the terribly bad weather at the time. The sittings at Dungannon, therefore, overlapped the proposed sittings at Aughnacloy. The Land Commissioners state that as they have only one Sub-Commission for the whole of Ulster, it will not be possible to return to Tyrone before September next. I appreciate the hon. Member's point as to the possibility of a hardship to the tenants; but that is owing to the policy of Parliament in allowing the fair rent to date, not from the time of application, but from the date of hearing.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENWould it not be possible for the Land Commissioners to order that the judicial rent should date from the day of hearing originally set down in cases where the delay was not caused by any default on the part of the tenant?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYI cannot answer that Question off-hand; but I am of opinion that it could not be done, as it is beyond the Act of Parliament.