HC Deb 15 May 1902 vol 108 cc380-1
MR. FLYNN (Cork Co., N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the Returns of evictions and eviction notices in Ireland for the quarter ended 31st March last; and whether, in view of the fact disclosed by these Returns, viz., that 536 eviction notices were filed under Section 7 of the Land Act of 1887 for the three months named, he will consider the advisability of introducing a clause into the new Bill, repealing or modifying Section 7.

MR. DELANY (Queen's Co., Ossory)

At the same time, may I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the fact that, as shown by the Parliamentary Return, 536 tenancies, as well as sub-tenancies depending on them, have been determined during the three months ending 31st March last, by ejectment notices forwarded through the post, under Section 7 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1887, whether, pending the passing

† See preceding Volume, pages 445 and 570.

of the Land Bill into law, the Government propose taking any steps to suspend this mode of eviction in Ireland.

MR. WYNDHAM

The number of notices under Section 7 was 536, as stated. The number of actual evictions in the same period was 69. The effect of a notice being to determine the tenancy, the tenant must redeem before he can apply to have a fair rent fixed. Such redemptions are, it is believed, frequent, and it is not correct to assume, as is often done, that the tenant is dispossessed of all rights in his holding. It is not proposed to legislate in the direction suggested.

MR. FLYNN

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that over 2,000 of these notices were served last year, and that the practical effect is to convert the tenant into a caretaker?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the number of the notices served under the Act of 1887 and the number of redemptions?

MR. WYNDHAM

I think the number served is already within the purview of the House, but I do not see how it is possible to arrive at the number of redemptions.