§ MR. M. HEALY (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the delay which takes place in the offices of the Land Commission; if he is aware that a letter addressed to the Secretary is hardly ever answered under three weeks, or a month; that copies of fair rent and other orders and of valuers' and Sub-Commissioners' Reports cannot be obtained without prolonged delays; that the Land Commission have now a printed form of circular in which they apprise persons requiring such copies that, owing to press of business, a long delay must elapse before they will be ready; and whether some additional clerical assistance could be provided?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Land Commissioners report that no delay which can be avoided occurs in their offices, and that the statements in the second paragraph of the question appear to be made under some misapprehension. They state that, as a rule, copies of documents are furnished within a few days after applied for, and that only in exceptional circumstances have any delays occurred. At times as many as 1,000 requisitions are received within a few days, in which case the circular referred to is issued. It does not state that "a long time must elapse," but that a little time may, before the application can be complied with. Any exceptional influx of business of this nature is met by the clerical staff working over time, and I am not aware that there is any necessity for the course suggested in the last paragraph.
§ MR. M. HEALYHave the Land Commission made application for additional clerical assistance?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think not. I do not gather from the Report that they deem the staff inadequate.