§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to state how the proposed Commission of Inquiry into the working of the Irish Land Acts is to be composed, and what will be the order of reference.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe terms of reference are as follows:—" To inquire into and report upon the procedure and practice and the methods of 974 valuation followed by the Land Commission and the Civil Bill Courts in Ireland under the Land Law (Ireland) Acts—(a) in fixing fair rents; (b)ascertaining the true value to be paid for a tenant's interest in a holding by a landlord exercising the right of pre-emption; also to inquire into and report upon the procedure and practice and the methods of valuation followed by the Land Commission arid the Land Judges Court respectively in carrying out the provisions of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts." I shall be prepared to state the names of the Commissioners upon the Queen's pleasure being signified in regard to them.
§ MR. J. MORLEYIf I rightly apprehend the right hon. Gentleman's description of the order of reference, the last part of that order will include and prescribe inquiry into the action of Mr. Justice Ross—that is to say, a judicial Court—in interpreting Section 40 of the Irish Land Act of 1896.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI should not like to pronounce off hand, but it is not intended that this Commission should inquire into legal points.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Will the Land Commissioners try cases while the new Commission is actually trying the Land Commissioners?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir this Commission is not to inquire into special cases.
§ MR. MACNEILLasked if the Commission would not inquire as to the general practice of the Land Courts, and, therefore, as to the conduct of the Commissioners.
§ [No answer was given.]
§ MR. MACNEILLWith great respect, I must insist upon an answer. [Laughter.]
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order.