MR. J. M'CARTHYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a question of which I have been unable to give him notice, namely, whether, in view of the failure of the potato crop and the distress in Ireland, the provisions of the Land Act of 1887 enabling judicial rents to be reduced will be re-enacted with suitable modifications?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs the hon. Member is aware, the cases in which temporary modifications of judicial rents were obtained under the Land Act of 1887 depended upon, and were caused by, a fall in prices. I believe that, so far from the price of potatoes having fallen this year, it has risen, and the result of re-enacting these clauses, so far from operating in the way the hon. Member desires, would have the effect of raising the rents.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman allow the Land Commission to revise the judicial rents, having regard to the yield of potatoes this year?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo; I am afraid it would be hopeless.