§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to the case of Clare v. Reid, in which decree was given for sale of a farm to a tenant at the auction price; whether he is aware that this farm was subsequently purchased by the landlord at a price fixed by the Land Commission below the auction price, and whether, seeing that such cases are of frequent occurrence, he can see his way to recommend such amendment of the Irish Land Laws as will prevent such sales at less than the auction prices.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR, Leeds,. Central)The Laud Law (Ireland) Act,, 1881, which conferred the power of free sale of tenancies, specially provided that the landlord may purchase the tenancy for such sum as the Land Commission should fix as the true value thereof. My attention has not been drawn to the case specially referred to, which appears to be a case in point. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.