HC Deb 22 February 1900 vol 79 c818
MR. SAMUEL YOUNG () Cavan, E.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether., with reference to the case of J. Bess borough, tenant, and the Trustees Ogilby's Estate, landlord, his attention has been called to the observations of Mr. Commissioner Murrogh O'Brien, being one of the Land Commissioners, before whom the case was heard: whether he is aware that the tenant at his own expense erected the buildings, and that he was charged an extra amount on the buildings, as they were an accommodation to the grocery and public house, but no evidence was given to show that the building increased in consequence the value of the holding as an agricultural farm, and that the Commissioner considered the extra charge contrary to law; and whether he will consider the desirability of having the law amended so as to protect the tenant from imposition of extra rent of his agricultural holding for any reason not applicable to the increased value of his agricultural farm.

MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. W. BALFOUR)

The judgment of the majority of the Court delivered by Mr. Commissioner Fitz-Gerald, Q. C., as well as the observations of Mi-. Commissioner O'Brien, who dissented, in the case referred to, appear to have been reported in the public press of the 13th instant. The Act of 1896 contains provision adequate to protect the tenant from being rented on his improvements. If the law has been incorrectly interpreted by the Land Commissioners it is open to the tenant to appeal.