§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the Deer Forest Commissioners scheduled nearly 2,000,000 acres of land in the Highland crofting counties suitable for occupation by the people, and seeing that the Congested Districts Board have proved themselves quite unable to meet the requirements of the people in regard to the land, he will say what steps he proposes to take to admit of the land being again occupied by crofters, cottars, and fisher men.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)I cannot admit the imputation made by the hon. Gentleman upon the Congested Districts Board, neither am I prepared to introduce legislation to increase the facilities already given as regards the acquisition of land in the congested districts in Ireland.
§ MR. WEIRAm I in order in asking the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that five years ago he expressed a great desire to extend these facilities? Will he reconsider the reply he has given?
§ [No answer was returned.]