§ MR. T. M. HEALYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the attempt by the Salters' Company, the 1226 Ironmongers' Company, and other London Companies to make sale of their Derry estates; and, if the Government propose to do anything to prevent these Corporations making away with their property before the question can be legislatively dealt with?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE)I understand that in a very short time a Bill will be introduced by my right hon. Friend, whose Department it concerns, on the subject to which this Question refers, and which would embrace such cases as are mentioned in the Question. The further Question, whether that Bill can be extended to retrospective proceedings, is one which I am not so well able to answer at the present moment, not having a precise knowledge of the character of those proceedings.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWould the right hon. Gentleman kindly permit me to ask this Question—Whether his attention has been drawn to a recent notice issued by the agent of the Salters' Company in the following words:—
On being informed that you had refused to complete the purchase of your farm I consulted the Worshipful Company of Salters. I am now desired to give you notice that if the necessary steps to complete he not taken within one fortnight from this date, proceedings will he taken in the High Court of Chancery in Ireland to compel specific performance of your agreement to purchase, and that this notice will be used to fix you with the costs of such proceedings.
MR. W.E.GLADSTONEI am cognizant of the document which the hon. and learned Gentleman has quoted; but the answer I have previously given will, I think, convey a perfect and distinct intimation to the Companies concerned as to the intention of the Government.