HC Deb 12 May 1904 vol 134 cc1180-1
MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Trinity College, Dublin, have demanded, as head landlords, twenty-six to twenty-seven years purchase from Mr. Blacker Douglas, who is a middleman holding under Trinity College and whose property is situate near Listowel, North Kerry; and, if so, whether he can state what steps he has taken or will take in connection with the price demanded by Trinity College for the redemption of their head rent; and whether he can state the average number of years purchase fixed by the Land Commission in past years for the redemption of head rents.

MR. WYNDHAM

The Land Commissioners have no knowledge of the fact alleged in the first part of the Question. Under Section 64 of the Act of 1903 the value of a superior interest is fixed, in the event of the failure of the parties to agree to a redemption price, by the Judicial Commissioner or the Land Judge. Under former Purchase Acts the redemption price of head rents was fixed by arbitration, unless the parties agreed. In cases fixed by arbitration the price has varied from thirty to eighteen times the rent.

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

Have the Estates Commissioners in considering this application any power to consider the special grant of £5,000 made to Trinity College with a view to facilitating operations under the Land Act?

MR. WYNDHAM

I do not see where the Estates Commissioners come in. If the parties cannot agree as to the value of the head rent they will go before the Land Court.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

But in the event of non-agreement and the Land Court or Land Commission being called in as arbitrators, have they no power to consider the annual grant made by the House to Trinity College for this express purpose?

MR. WYNDHAM

I cannot say whether that ought or ought not to be taken into account.

MR. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole interest of Mr. Blacker Douglas, the middleman, will be absorbed if Trinity College do not abate their demand?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I shall call attention to this matter on the Land Commission Vote.

MR. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Blacker Douglas, although willing, cannot sell to the tenants because of the exorbitant price demanded by Trinity College?

[No answer was returned.]