HC Deb 24 April 1888 vol 325 cc336-8
MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu- tenant of Ireland, with reference to his reply on the 12th instant, Whether he can now state at what time the next sitting of a Sub-Commission will be held to hear fair rent applications in the County of Antrim; whether, considering that nearly 4,000 applications remain unheard in the County of Down, it is still the intention of the Government to send to the County of Antrim after 1st May next the Sub-Commission at present sitting in the County of Down; and, whether he is aware that a large number of ejectment decrees have been obtained, and eviction notices served in the County of Down in respect of holdings where the old rents were demanded and sued for, notwithstanding that the tenants, having made their applications to have fair rents fixed before the 1st of November last, are entitled to the benefit of the reduced rents from the 1st of May last?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

I am sorry to say that, as the Question was only put on the Paper last night, I have not been able to get the necessary information. Perhaps, with regard to the last paragraph, the hon. Gentleman would define any case in which an ejectment decree having been applied for by the landlord, and the tenant applied for a stay of proceedings pending the fixing of a fair rent, the Court has refused to stay proceedings accordingly.

MR. M'CARTAN

What course will the right hon. Gentleman adopt if I do so?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

; I will give it my very best consideration.

MR. M`CARTAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present rate of progress it would take six years to fix fair rents for all the tenants who have applied in County Down, although they are entitled to a reduction since May last?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

However long it may take to hear the cases makes no matter. The tenant will be no pecuniary loser, because the landlord would have to disgorge. What I point out is that if the tenant on an ejectment being applied for were to raise an objection in Court it would be stayed.

M'CARTAN

But all the while the tenants are required to pay impossible rents. Will the right hon. Gentletleman supply them with funds?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

If the hon. Gentleman will supply me with the case of any tenant who during the period of appeal has paid the full rent, or of any landlord who has asked him to do so, I will inquire into it.

MR. M'CARTAN

I will supply the right hon. Gentleman with a number of cases of tenants who are unable to pay.