§ MR. BIGGARasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If his attention has been called to the following case:—A number of tenants on the property of Sir George Hodgson, in the county Cavan, who always paid one shilling a-year for their turf bog, have got judicial rents fixed under the Land Act of 1881; but the landlord now asks them to propose a sum for their bog banks, and as it is feared the landlord may insist on getting a sum for their bogs equal to the reduction of rent and thus nullify the Land Act on his property; and, can he legally do this, and, if so, will the Act be amended in this important particular so as to protect a numerous class of tenants not only on this property but all over Ireland?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, my attention has only been called to this matter by the hon. Member's Question. If the facts are stated in this Question, it would appear that Sir George Hodgson is the owner of a turf bog which is in his own possession, and over which his tenants have no rights except to cut, save, and remove such turbary as he may sell to them or anyone else each season. If this be so he has the same lawful right as any other owner of moveable or immoveable property to sell it. Whether or not it is a matter for legislation is a question of policy, which it is not for me to reply to.
§ MR. HEALYasked if it was not a fact that under the 5th sub-section of the 5th section of the Land Act the tenant was entitled to cut and save sufficient turbary for his holding?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, this Question assumed that the tenants had no right over the turf bog referred to. If they had, nothing could be done by the landlord to prejudice it.