HC Deb 17 February 1888 vol 322 cc710-1
MR. MARUM (Kilkenny, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the circumstances that, under the present condition of the law in Ireland, "statutory termors," or tenants from year to year, are not empowered to register timber trees, which, if planted by them, become forthwith the property of the landlord inheritor, who likewise is himself unable to plant such trees upon lands in the occupation of the tenant, whereby virtually no timber trees can, under present conditions, be planted over the surface of some 500,000 holdings; whether he is aware that under section 20 of "The Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883," the Board of Works is empowered to advance money for the planting of trees in Ireland; and, whether, in view of the foregoing, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to initiate legislation this Session upon the subject?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN) (Dublin University)

(who replied) said: Her Majesty's Government fully appreciate the importance of facilitating and encouraging the plantation of timber trees throughout Ireland, and of extending the operation of the provision contained in the Tramways Act, 1883, as referred to in the Question. I have consulted with the Chief Secretary on the subject; and I am in a position to state that a Bill will be introduced dealing with this matter in the present Session.