§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the decision in the Irish Court of Appeal in the case of Mairs v. Leckey, practically reversing the Land Commission in this case; whether he is aware that many precisely similar cases have been ruled against the tenants, on the assumption that Mr. Justice Bewley's decision was right in Law; and whether, if tenants so decided against have no redress, he will take care to deal with their cases in the Land Bill?
MR. J. MORLEYMy attention has been drawn to the decision of the Irish Court of Appeal in the case of Mairs v. Leckey, substantially reversing the decision of the Land Commission. The question decided arose under the Redemption of Rent Act, 1891, and, no doubt, other cases had been decided on the assumption that Mr. Justice Bewley's view, now reversed by the Court of Appeal, was right in point of law. I think he will see that it is impossible to give a remedy for those who have suffered from decisions in previous cases. I am glad to think that the number of the earlier cases covered by the decision is not very large. But in regard to the last paragraph I have only to say now that I hope the hon. Member will not be disappointed on Monday.
§ MR. R. M. DANE (Fermanagh, N.)asked the Chief Secretary whether he could see his way to put provisions in the Bill to enable those who had suffered to bring their cases into Court again, and when the text of the Bill would be available?