HC Deb 16 June 1899 vol 72 cc1361-2
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any minute of the Congested Districts Board exists as to the purpose for which they have acquired Lord Dillon's estate; is it intended to resell to the tenants; if so, when; could he state who has charge of the negotiations for sale; what price is Lord Dillon to receive; and what is the gross and net rental of the estate; does the contract for sale include a covenant requiring Lord Dillon to rebuild the mansion house (lately burnt), which is situated in County Roscommon, far away from the principal estate, which is in County Mayo; how do the Board propose to use the mansion house; and, will any Papers be presented to Parliament on the subject.

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

The Congested Districts Board have purchased Lord Dillon's estate for the purpose of improving and enlarging some of the holdings and of reselling all the holdings to the tenants through the Land Commission, but the Board are not yet in a position to say when the holdings will be resold. The negotiations have been carried on by the Board and the solicitors for Lord Dillon. The price to be paid to Lord Dillon is £290,000; the figures as to the rental were placed before the Board by his solicitors before the sale, but I am sorry I am not in a position to supply them at present. Lord Dillon has nearly rebuilt the house which was lately burnt down, and has undertaken to complete it. The Board have not yet considered the question of the disposal of the house. It is not intended to lay specially on the Table any Papers on the subject except to refer to the matter in the Board's annual report, which no doubt will give full information on the matter.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Does any minute of the Congested Districts Board exist?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

I do not think there is any special minute.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Do the Board make contracts involving an expenditure of over half a million without entering it on their minutes?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

was understood to reply that they had followed their usual course in this case.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Are the minutes of the Board public or private property?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

Private, certainly.