§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether a large number of applications to have fair rents fixed, made by small farmers in the county Armagh, are still unheard, though some of them date so far back as October, 1896; (2) whether an application was lodged by Mr. Wm. Conser, of Armagh, in January, 1898, to have a fair rent fixed and listed for hearing by the Land Commission for the 26th April instant; (3) why was such a preference given to Mr. Conser in this instance; and (4) will he prohibit this case from being taken out of its ordinary turn?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am informed that a comparatively large number of applications from the county Armagh is still awaiting to be heard, but that there are no cases unlisted for hearing in which the applications were received by the Commissioners in 1896. In the case referred to in the second paragraph the application was received by the Commissioners in January last, and a special Order of the court in Dublin was obtained, directing that the case should be listed for hearing at an early date, owing to the existence of special circumstances. The Commissioners sea no reason for varying the Order made in this case.
§ MR. MACALEESEHas the right honourable Gentleman any objection to stating what are the special circumstances?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI really do not know myself what they are. This is a matter for the Commissioners, and I cannot interfere.