§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland having regard to the common object of all land purchase legislation to deal with the fee-simple, and to the duress under which tenants are now being forced to sign agreements to purchase something less than the fee-simple, leaving in the vendors' hands rights likely to become onerous and sources of further trouble, whether he will protect purchasing tenants against such duress by requiring, in all such cases, proof of their free consent.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) No evidence has reached me to show that such duress as is mentioned in the Question exists to any material extent. The Commissioners have full powers to refuse to make an advance in the case of any agreement which may have been obtained by duress, and they exercise their powers accordingly.