§ MR. D. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, under which it was proposed to prolong the powers of the Irish Land Commission, would give continuity of office to the Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners at present engaged in the administration of the Land Acts, 1774 and for what period; and, whether, having regard to the fact that there are over 60,000 applications for fixing fair rents still pending, such provision will be made as will be effectual to prevent public inconvenience which may arise from interruption in the sittings of the Courts?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)(who replied) said: The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill will not affect the tenure of office of the Assistant Commissioners, which does not depend upon Statute; but it will extend the term of office of the Commissioners, who, no doubt, will take care that no public inconvenience is caused by any breach in the continuity of the Sub-Commissioners' work.