HC Deb 15 March 1897 vol 47 cc670-1
MR. J. C. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Land Commissioners can give any information respecting the application of an evicted tenant named M'Grath, on Lord Castletown's Doneraile estate, to be reinstated under the 47th section of the Land Act 1896; is the Land Commission aware that M'Grath offered to give solvent security for the payment of rent for five years, and to have rent fixed by arbitration or by the Land Commissioners; and whether, in view of the fact that the evicted tenant believed that Lord Castle-town would join in the application under the section above-named, the Land Commission will refund the amount of the fee paid by the tenant?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

An application was made in the usual form to the Land Commission by David M'Grath, with a view to his re-instatement as tenant in his former holding under Lord Castle-town. M'Grath was evicted in March 1895, being five years in arrear with his rent. The landlord objected to the application being treated as a joint application, and the former tenant was thereupon informed that no further proceedings could be taken under his application. The Land Commission have no information as to the alleged offer of security by M'Grath, and they state he was not charged any fee by them.

MR. FLYNN

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the Land Commission charge no fee?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

So I understand.

MR. FLYNN

If I can bring before the right hon. Gentleman evidence that a fee was charged in this case, will he order the fee to be returned?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Certainly, if the hon. Member brings such evidence before me.