§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, What organization in the way of staff the Irish Church Commissioners employ for the purpose of valuing the lands with which they have to deal; what professional or official qualifications were possessed by the valuator who acted for the Commissioners in the case of Spaight v. the Church Commissioners, lately tried at Kellalor Sessions; whether the Landed Estates Court does not avail itself of 673 the valuation office for valuation purposes; and, whether he is prepared to suggest to the Commissioners to pursue the same course in order to ensure uniformity of valuation?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHThe Irish Church Commissioners have, I believe, no regularly organized staff to value the lands with which they have to deal, but they engage experienced valuers in each case. In the instance to which the hon. Gentleman has called attention, I am informed that the gentlemen employed had had great experience in many similar cases before. It is very possible that the Landed Estates Court avails itself of the Valuation List for valuation purposes, and I have no doubt that the Temporalities Commissioners also consider the same List in dealing with the price affixed to the lands to be sold. But the hon. Member is aware that in many cases the Valuation List does not represent the real value, and, therefore, it is impossible to sell without a valuation.