§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, at the recent sittings of the Land Commissioners to hear appeals, at Castlebar, sixty-three cases were disposed of by them, and whether the aggregate judicial rent fixed by the Sub-Commissioners in these cases was £559 16s. 5d., the appeal rent £591 0s. 2d., whereas the valuation of same (excluding buildings) by the official valuer was £673 0s. 6d.; whether, in the very large majority of these cases, the official valuer stated in open court that there 927 were no improvements visible; and, whether all the Commissioners sat on the hearing of these cases; and, if so, whether their decision was unanimous; if only two, which two of the three Commissioners formed the Court?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the number of cases disposed of at Castlebar, the aggregate rent fixed by the Sub-Commission, and the aggregate appeal rent are correctly stated in the Question of the hon. Member. The Land Commissioners object to giving any figures for statements from the reports of their valuers. The valuer was not present in Court on the occasion in question. Two of the Commissioners—namely, Mr. Justice O'Hagan and Mr. Vernon, heard the appeal cases at Castlebar, Mr. Litton being unavoidably absent. There was no difference of opinion between Mr. Justice O'Hagan and Mr. Vernon.
§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked, of what use the valuers were in that case; and, on what basis it was the Commissioners had decided?
§ MR. TREVELYAN, in reply, said, he was very unwilling to answer such a serious Question. If such Questions were put in the House with regard to the decisions of the Judges in the Equity Courts in England, he was sure they would not be answered, for the Judges would decidedly object to do so.