§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I bag to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it was by inadvertence that the clause providing permanent tenure for the Fair Rent Commissioners is inserted in the Purchase Bill, while the clause providing equality of salary for the Purchase Commissioners is inserted in the Land Department Bill; and will the Government undertake to treat the entire question of the status of the Commissioners connectively, and deal with it in the same Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe settlement of the question of official tenure appears to the Government essential to any sound land purchase scheme. The question of alteration of salary evidently only arises if there is an alteration of duties. Now, the Bill we are at present discussing does not suggest any alteration of the duties of the Land Purchase Commissioners. This is done in the Land Department Bill, and it is on that Bill that the subject should, I think, be discussed.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYAre we to understand that the Purchase Commissioners are to have all the powers of 481 the Fair Rent Commissioners, and that the Fair Rent Commissioners are to have none of the powers of the Purchase Commissioners?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; we leave that question entirely on one side to be discussed when it is proposed to make an alteration. I think that will be the proper time to discuss the matter.