HC Deb 08 August 1884 vol 292 cc266-8
COLONEL KING-HARMAN

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether Lord Monck, now or till lately a Land Commissioner, signed the Report of the Irish Church Commissioners, dated 3rd February 1877, which stated, among other matters— Everything had been made easy for him" (the tenant); "a fair price has been put upon his farm; whether his attention has been drawn to the following passage in the same Report, relating to the rates to the public:— We have by these rates, for the first time, been able to judge by comparison of the fairness of the prices which we ourselves, under the authority of the Act, placed on the tenants' holdings. The result, though not bearing out the opinion we expressed last year, that higher prices would be obtained from the tenants than from the public, has been most satisfactory, and is creditable to the skill and carefulness of our principal valuator, Mr. Murrough O'Brien. The lands purchased by public competition at the rate of 22¾ times the rent have been on an average offered by us to the tenants, chiefly on his valuation and reports, at the rate of 22½ times the rent. We attach some importance to this result, as it may fairly be inferred from it that our prices throughout have been just; and, whether this Mr. Murrough O'Brien is the same gentleman who is now acting as chief officer of the Purchase Department of the Land Commission, which, on his recommendation, lately fixed the price of an estate in the West of Ireland at twelve years' purchase, though the tenants were willing to give sixteen years' purchase for their holdings?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)

The first two paragraphs of this Question are quotations from Reports laid before this House, and I have no reason to suppose they have been inaccurately quoted. Mr. Murrough O'Brien is the same gentleman who is now acting as chief officer of the Purchase Department, and who has lately, under altered circumstances and for different purposes, fixed the price of the estate referred to at 12 years' purchase.

MR. BRODRICK

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, What course the Government propose to take with regard to the appointment of a fourth Irish Land Commissioner, in case the Irish Land Commissioner (Continuance) Bill should not become Law in the present Session?

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

said, he would ask, at the same time, How many years' purchase were paid in 1876 in the Land Court for land, and how many were now paid for Irish land in the same Court?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)

I am unwilling to contemplate the contingency referred to in the Question of the hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Brodrick). If it should occur, legislative power must be sought for at the earliest opportunity which the arrangements of Public Business will admit of. If it cannot be reached to-night, it will stand early on the Paper for to-morrow.

MR. PARNELL

asked, whether, in the event of the Bill not being reached that night, it was intended to take it on Saturday? The Prime Minister had distinctly stated that Saturday would be reserved for Supply; and, if it were to be so taken, he (Mr. Parnell) should regard it as a distinct breach of the agreement.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

said, that the arrangements for Saturday Sittings for Supply only applied to last Saturday. Obviously, it could not apply to to-morrow, seeing that the whole Business of Supply had been disposed of last night, or rather this morning.

MR. PARNELL

But Report of Supply stands among the Orders.

MR. GIBSON

said, he considered the earliest period possible at which the Bill ought to be taken, if proceeded with at all, was the Autumn Session.

MR. BRODRICK

gave Notice that if the second reading of the Bill were attempted to be taken to-morrow he would move the adjournment of the debate.