§ MR. CALLANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the communications which passed between the Irish Executive and the Land Commission with respect to the appointment of Court Valuers were verbal or in writing; whether, in stating that the Court Valuers "were chosen by the Land Commission on their own responsibility, and that the Government did not interfere," he intended to convey the impression that the Land Commissioners were alike responsible for the policy of appointing, as well as the selection, of Court Valuers; and, whether he can inform the House by whom the advisability of appointing Court Valuers was first suggested, by the Irish Executive or the Land Commission?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe communications which passed between the Irish 491 Executive and the Land Commission with respect to the appointment of official valuers were both verbal and in writing. I did not intend to convey that the Land Commissioners, who are solely responsible for the selection of the valuers, were responsible for the policy of appointing them. The policy of any such change in the administration of the Act, in my opinion, rests with the Government, who are bound, however, to consult carefully the opinion of the Land Commissioners. It is very difficult to say from whom the first suggestion of appointing valuers came; but, in the shape in which they were ultimately appointed, the recommendation came from the Land Commission.
§ MR. CALLANMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether it is a fact that the Land Commissioners were at first opposed to the appointments; but that they were ultimately overcome by the Government?
§ MR. TREVELYANNo, Sir. That certainly is not an accurate statement of the case.