§ MR. JAMES O'KELLY (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the manner in which the Land Act of 1903 is being administered in connection with the estate of Mrs. Grace Mahon, Strokestown, Roscommon; and whether the direct tenants are being led to sign purchase agreements by means of which the subtenants in occupation are deprived of the benefits of reductions in rent given since May 1st, 1905, and grazing lands adjacent to the town are being sold to large graziers instead of being divided amongst the small holders in the district belonging to the class which was supposed to benefit under the Act; and whether the Estates Commissioners will be directed to put the 15th section of the Act into operation.
MR. BRYCEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that 172 agreements for the purchase of holdings on the estate referred to were lodged with them on the 25th instant. The questions of the sub-tenancies and of the lettings 257 to large graziers, will be dealt with by the Commissioners in the ordinary course when the report of the inspection comes before them. The question whether the Commissioners will take action under the 15th section is one for their own determination.