§ MR. MEAGHERTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if, owing to the discrepancy which existed in the numbers between the Returns issued subsequent to the passing of the Land Purchase Act, 1903, and the number of applications lodged by or on behalf of evicted tenants for reinstatement in the county Kilkenny, he will cause a Return to be issued of those evicted who are entitled under the Act to be reinstated, and that the necessary particulars will in each case be given so as to enable those tenants or their friends to lodge applications in due course.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that applications have been received from 141 persons seeking reinstatement as former tenants or representatives of former tenants of holdings in county Kilkenny. These applications will be inquired into and reported on by an inspector in due course; but, until each case has been ruled on by the Commissioners, they will not be in a position to particularise how many of the applicants come within Clause (d), Section 2 (1), of the Act. It appears, however, from the particulars shown in the applications themselves, that at least nine of the applicants do not come within the terms of that clause. A Return such as the hon. Member desires does not appear to be either practicable or needed.