§ MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the need of land for evicted tenants and other persons, and the danger that if untenanted land be not acquired now for these purposes it may pass permanently into the hands of graziers, whether all rural district councils will be furnished with copies of the forthcoming Return of untenanted land; and whether all purchase inspectors will be instructed to visit and report upon all land of this class in the counties in which they work.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.I have already informed the hon. Member that it is not proposed to distribute the Return gratuitously to local authorities, and I have also stated the course which the Estates Commissioners intend to adopt. I refer to my Answers to the hon. Member's Questions of 21st and 28th May. † The Commissioners propose in the first instance to ascertain from the owners of untenanted land which appears
† See (4) Debates, clvii., 948; clviii., 81, 88.40 suitable for distribution whether they are prepared to sell to the Commissioners, and if the owners should express their willingness to sell, the Commissioners will have the lands inspected, and will intimate to the owners the prices they are prepared to give.
§ MR. GINNELLWill the Commissioners inquire into uneconomic holdings and untenanted lands in all parts of Ireland?
§ MR. BRYCEIt is intended that the term of reference shall cover Ireland generally. The inquiry will not be restricted to the congested districts.