HC Deb 08 February 1897 vol 45 cc1537-8
MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork Co., N. E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Committees consisting of ex-officio and elected guardians were appointed in the Poor Law Unions of Mallow, Fermoy, and Mitchels-town for the purpose of endeavouring to bring about settlements between evicted tenants and landlords in these unions under sections 46 and 47 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896; and if he will ascertain from the clerks of those several unions how many evicted tenants have been reinstated in their holdings through the efforts of these Committees, and how many landlords have either declined their mediation or failed to reply to the invitation extended to them by these Conciliation Committees?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

The Committees to which the hon. Member refers in the Question were not created under the authority of any provision contained in the Act of last year, and though I believe it is true that Committees were formed in certain localities for the purpose indicated, I have no effective means at my disposal of obtaining official information as to the proceedings of such bodies as is suggested in the Question. There have been no settlements effected with evicted tenants under the Act in either of the Poor Law Unions mentioned.

MR. JOHN DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked whether, in view of total failure of this Clause to effect the object which Parliament had in view, he would introduce any fresh legislation this Session?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, Sir, I cannot undertake to introduce any fresh legislation this Session. I think we ought at all events to wait until the time when that particular provision expires before deciding whether any further legislation is necessary.

MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was not aware that the clerks of the unions were also secretaries of the Committees, and that therefore there would be no difficulty in getting the information he sought.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he had considered the desirability of obtaining arbitration Courts with compulsory powers for dealing with these cases.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I do not think that would be desirable.