§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in a recent case, the Irish Land Commission refused to allow the transfer by an occupying purchaser of an acre of his farm for the purpose of a parish graveyard unless upon the condition (which would be a bar to consecration of the ground) that the acre used as a graveyard should continue, as well as the farm, to be liable for repayment of the full annuity in respect of the purchase-money of the entire holding; 1017 and whether the Land Commission were constrained by law, and, if so, by what provision of the law, to come to this decision?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts stated in the question are substantially correct. The Land Commissioners state they have no power under the Land Acts to apportion an annuity, or accept the redemption price of a portion of an annuity, except in the cases of holdings in congested districts provided for by Section 37 of the Land Act of 1891. I am not aware of any provision of the law directly prohibiting such a proceeding, but the absence of an enabling power prevents the Commissioners from doing what is proposed.
§ MR. SEXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider if, in the event of a private agreement being come to, the arrangement can be sanctioned?