§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that in May 1894 the tenants on Lord Annaly's county Longford estate purchased their holdings on the understanding that an immediate reduction in rent, pending the completion of sale, would follow, but that no such reduction took place; will he inquire what is the cause of the delay in completing these sales; and will he draw the attention of the Land Commission to the necessity of immediately completing these sales?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI understand that this estate is for sale in the Land Judges Court, and that until the rental has been settled the Land Commission cannot make an offer to purchase. The Commissioners have no knowledge as to any understanding with the tenants regarding their obtaining an immediate reduction in their rents pending the completion of the sale, which, as I have pointed out, is not yet pending before them. I shall look further into the matter, however, in order to ascertain whether anything can be done to expedite the proceedings elsewhere.
§ MR. FARRELLasked whether it was a fact that an application had been lodged with the Land Commission?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURApparently not, Sir. But I am not quite certain.