HC Deb 20 February 1902 vol 103 cc600-1
MR. O'DOHERTY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the chief Land Commission Court at its sittings last week in the city of Londonderry was comprised only of two members; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction of the tenants interested in the cases heard, both with regard to the decisions and composition of the Court, arrangements will be made to have three Commissioners in future at the hearing of appeals in that district, and that one of the three will be Mr. Commissioner O'Brien.

MR. WYNDHAM

I understand that the Judical Commissioner was unavoidably absent from these Sittings owing to family bereavement. Mr. Commissioner O'Brien attends Sittings of the Appeal Court in rotation with the other two non-legal members of the Commission.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Is a Court of two Commissioners competent to sit?

MR. WYNDHAM

Yes, Sir, under circumstances which, as in the present case, are contemplated by statute.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Then why should the country have to pay for three?

[No answer was returned.]