§ MR. M'CARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the proposed Bill for accelerating the fixing of fair rents, whether it is his intention to make such provision as will compel the landlords to submit to the arbitration of two lay Commissioners; whether the tenants will have the selection of one of these arbitrators; whether he will also provide that there will be no appeal from the rents so fixed except on a point of law; and, when he will make a statement on the subject of the proposed Bill?
§ * MR. A. J. BALFOURIn answer to the first paragraph, I have to say that there will be no compulsion in the Bill either as against landlords or as against tenants. The lay Commissioners will be selected by the Land Commission. There will be appeal as in the case of 1712 rents fixed in the ordinary way before a Sub-Commission Court. The Bill will be shortly introduced, and, if necessary, a statement will be made upon its introduction. It is, however, extremely simple in its character, and is substantially identical with a proposal placed on the Paper in connection with a measure brought forward by the Government last year.
§ * MR. A. J. BALFOURI should be glad to give effect to any measure for expediting appeals, but it is impossible to find time this Session for a measure dealing with the Land Courts.