§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that tenants on the estate of Henrietta De Burgh, in the townland of Drumcrow and county of Cavan, have been served with writs for the half year's rent due on the 1st May last; and whether, in view of the fact that negotiations for the sale of this estate are pending, he will introduce any measure—administrative or legislative—to prevent the landlord forcing tenants into undesirable bargains.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThree tenants were served with writs for a half-year's rent; they have since paid rents and costs. I am not aware there is any ground for the suggestion that the landlord is endeavouring to compel the tenants to buy at prices which the latter consider undesirable, nor have I reason to believe that the action of some of the tenants in withholding rent can be construed as an attempt to compel sales at prices which the landlord would consider undesirable. But in any case, the provisions of the existing law are adequate to safeguard both parties against bargains induced by duress.