HC Deb 16 July 1888 vol 328 cc1406-7
MR. W. ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to a Resolution adopted by a meeting of tenant farmers held in Newcastle West, County Limerick, on the 12th instant, expressing dissatisfaction with the smallness of the reductions granted by Mr. Tuckey's Commission, and complaining of the action of the Commission with regard to the cases heard; what are the names of these Sub-Commissioners, and whether any are landlords or land agents, or connected with them; and, whether another Sub-Commission, commanding in some degree the confidence of the tenants of County Limerick, will be substituted for the hearing of the remaining cases?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The Land Commissioners inform me that the Sub-Commission over which Mr. Tuckey presides consists of the following gentlemen:—Msssrs. C. O'Keeffe, A. N. Comyn, C. R. Butler, and H. C. Gregory. The several gentlemen were appointed by the Lord Lieutenant of the day, under the authority of the 43rd section of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881, who was satisfied as to their fitness. It is not the province of the Land Commissioners to inquire whether any of the gentlemen named are landlords or land agents. Messrs. O'Keeffe and Comyn were originally appointed by Earl Cowper, and Mr. Gregory by Earl Spencer. Mr. Butler was appointed by the present Government. The Commissioners do not intend to substitute a different Sub-Commission for the Sub-Commission referred to.

MR. FINUCANE (Limerick, E.)

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the fact that the present Limerick Land Sub-Commission had, on any occasion during the past year, fixed judicial rents far higher than the paid valuer of the landlord had done?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not know anything about that; but I have no doubt that the Sub-Commissioners gave an impartial judgment.