§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the full number of Sub-Commissioners, approved 949 of by the Treasury, have been appointed by the Land Commission, and are employed in fixing fair rents?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I see that the total number of Assistant Commissioners approved by the Treasury, and provided for in the Estimates, have not yet been appointed. The hon. Gentleman is aware that the whole question of the appointment of these Sub-Commissioners has been hung up, pending the decision at which the House was likely to arrive with regard to the Land Law (Ireland) (Land Commission) Bill. The failure to dispose of that Bill necessarily involves the whole question in some uncertainty; and I am sorry that at present I cannot give any definite answer to the House.
§ In reply to a further Question,
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he believed that at the present time 10 Sub-Commissioners were appointed, and that 13 had been sanctioned.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALYWhen may we expect a definite announcement as to the appointment of fresh Sub-Commissioners?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI shall be glad if the Question is repeated before this part of the Session closes.