§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that tenants in county Kerry who served their landlords with rent-fixing notices six years ago are still waiting to have their appeals heard; whether, under these circumstances, steps will be taken to have those appeals heard during the coming autumn.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Land Commissioners sat in Killarney for the hearing of appeals in July, 1903. The list then for hearing contained all appeals lodged prior to May, 1901. It is however, a fact that in some cases in which appeals were lodged since that date and which are still pending, the originating notices were originally lodged as far back as the period mentioned in the Question. It is not at present possible to say when the Commissioners will hold their next sitting for the disposal of appeals from Kerry.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLSeeing that six years have elapsed since the notices were served can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that a decision will be arrived at in the next ten years?
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes, I think I can promise that.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)May I say that I propose on Thursday next to raise the whole question of the collapse of the Appeal Court.
§ MR. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tenants pending the decision of the Court are compelled to pay the whole rent, and is not that a great burden on them?
§ [No Answer was returned.]