HC Deb 29 February 1884 vol 285 cc209-10
MR. P. MARTIN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, on the 16th of August last, he admitted in the House the grievances endured by suitors in the Court of the Land Commission from the then accumulation of pending appeals, and undertook that the Government would try and devise a remedy, and the matter should have their most careful attention; is not the appeal list at present far heavier than it was in August, amounting to 8,600 cases to be heard; is there any reasonable ground for believing the list can be finally disposed of before the expiration of some three years; have any communications passed between the Land Commission and the Government in reference to the great injury caused by the delay incident to the disposal of these appeals; can he state what have been the nature of these communications or suggestions; and, will he have any objection to lay such communications upon the Table?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, it is unfortunately true that the appeal list is heavier now than it was in August last. The Government have had various communications with the Land Commissioners on the subject of diminishing the number of appeals, and of accelerating the mode of progress of the Commissioners. After very careful consideration, no new plan which would be effective has been yet found; but the Commissioners are doing their utmost to hear and dispose of appeals as fast as is consistent with due regard to the interests of those involved. It is impossible to lay on the Table of the House the Correspondence which has taken place between the Government and the Commissioners on this subject, as it is of a confidential character.

MR. P. MARTIN

asked whether the total number of appeals heard last year was not 2,000, and when did the right hon. Gentleman expect that the remaining 8,000 would be disposed of? That Question was on the Paper, and had not been answered.

MR. TREVELYAN

said, he did not see anything in the Question about 2,000 cases having been heard last year. No doubt the hon. Member had stated the number accurately.

MR. P. MARTIN

said, his Question was when the Government expected the remaining 8,000 cases to be concluded?

[No reply was given.]