MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland can he state the total number of applications for reinstatement by evicted tenants under 1582 the Land Act 1890; how many have been acceded to by the landlords; and, can the Government do anything before the powers of the Act expire to promote settlements?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe number of applications received by the Land Commissioners under the 47th Section of the Act of 1896 is 507, in 16 of which the applications have been acceded to by the landlords. At the same time, may state that settlements have been effected with evicted tenants in a considerable number of cases quite independently of the provisions of the Act of last year. Thus in the quarter ended March 31 last, the number of farms retaken by the former tenants was 158, and for the 12 months ended December 31 1896, the number was 627. In 1895 the number was 605, and there were 590 settlements in 1894. These numbers do not include cases of relating to relatives or friends of evicted tenants with the consent of, or by arrangement with, the latter. It is not the intention of the Government to undertake further legislation for the purpose of promoting settlements with evicted tenants.
MR. T. M. HEALYasked whether the right hon. Gentleman could do anything in the matter pending legislation.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI will do anything that lies in my power in the matter. ["Hear, hear!"]