HC Deb 31 May 1897 vol 49 cc1603-4
MR. JOHN DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to state the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on the Irish Land Commission, and the names of the Commissioners?

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

said he was not yet able to make any statement on the subject.

MR. DILLON

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could give them any indication as to when he might be able to make a statement?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said he was afraid he could not do that.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Tipperary (Mr. PATRICK J. O'BRIEN), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that there has been no sitting of the Land Commission for the district of North Tipperary within the past twelve months, that there are in consequence a large number of cases on the list in the neighbourhood of Nenagh, Borrisokane, Cloughjordan, and other places; and if he can say how soon may the parties interested expect to have their cases disposed of?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

A Sub-Commission sat for the hearing of cases from the Unions of Roscrea, Nenagh, and Borrisokane, at the end of last October. A further sitting was held at Roscrea on the 29th of last January, and at Birr on the 30th April last. The hearing of a list which contains cases from the Union of Nenagh was commenced at Kilkenny on the 25th instant. A sitting for the Union of Borrisokane will be arranged for at as early a date as possible consistent with the claims of other districts. There are at present comparatively few cases unlisted from these Unions.

MR. JAMES GILHOOLY (Cork Co., W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Castletownsend estate, County Cork, is to be sold; and, if so, whether valuers from the Laud Commission will visit it with a view to estimate the value of the agricultural holdings, and advance the full amount of the purchase money to the present occupiers?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The estate referred to has, I believe, been advertised for sale in the Land Judge's Court. The Land Judge has declared, however, that Section 40 of the Land Act of last year does not apply to this estate.