§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (for Mr. HEALY)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has since been able to arrive at any basis of information respecting Town Parks in Ireland; and, whether he is aware that after the Land Act of 1870 alleged "Town Parks" sprung up in places where they had never before been heard of, and, if the Government will consider the advisability of granting a Select Committee, or small Commission, to inquire into the subject?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, I have received a communication from the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who regrets that he has not been hitherto able to arrive at any basis of information respecting "town parks." The Land Act of 1870, in exempting town parks from the Compensation Clauses of that Act, defined them by specific conditions—namely, (1), a holding ordinarily called a town park, adjoining a city or town; (2), having an increased value as accommodation land above its ordinary letting occupation value as a farm; and (3), being occupied by a person living in such city or town or its suburbs. Accommodation land, of course, means what is held by the person so resident in the city or town as an accommodation to his residence. Thus the name "town park" has, since the Act of 1870, acquired greater prominence than before; but, the nature and quality of the holding which is a "town park" being thus defined, none other can be a "town park." I will confer with the Chief Secretary for Ireland during the Recess to 874 see whether the subject can be effectually inquired into.