§ MR. J. N. RICHARDSONasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether, according to the Returns recently placed before Parliament, there are not 4,998 originating notices for fixing a fair rent from the county Armagh on the books of the Land Commission, whereof only eighteen cases have been adjudicated upon by the Sub-Commissioners up to 28th January; and, whether the Chief Commissioners intend, either by the appointment of a Sub-Commission specially for Armagh, or by some other means, to accelerate the hearing of cases in that county?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, the figures were, as stated by the hon. Member in his Question, up to the 28th of January; but on the 7th of March they were different. On the 7th of March 5,038 originating notices had been received, and 152 cases disposed of. The subject of expediting the hearing of cases ripe for disposal is, I believe, engaging the attention of the Land Commission.
§ MR. GIBSONasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether he will give directions that any further Returns, showing the rent decisions of the Land 464 Commission, shall contain columns indicating when last before the decision the old rent had been varied, and what had been the amount of such old rent before such variation?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, the Land Commission have settled the forms of their books in which the proceedings are recorded, and any variation from those forms will necessarily cause considerable inconvenience; but, notwithstanding this, the Commissioners are desirous of giving all information which can reasonably be asked for, and I am requested by the Chief Secretary for Ireland to state that he has ascertained that the Commissioners will not object to furnishing what is requested by my right hon. and learned Friend's Question.