§ MR. FLYNN (Cork County, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state on what principle the Assistant Land Commissioners are now proceeding, in connection with the fixing of rents for the second judicial term, in respect to improvements made on the land by the tenants; whether they are still instructed to pay due regard to the section of the Act of 1881 which provides that rent shall not be chargeable in respect to improvements made by the tenant or his predecessor in title; has his attention been called to the case of Mr. Patrick Lynch, Curragh Kilbrin, on the estate of Dr. Barry, of Kanturk, recently heard, in which Mr. Corliss Bolster, ex-Land Commissioner, valued at £66 10s., whereas Mr. Commissioner Donavan valued at £84, being a reduction of only 1335 £4 a year on the first judicial rent fixed seventeen years ago; and whether, in view of the complaints by improving tenants of the action of the Assistant Commissioners, steps will be taken by legislation or otherwise to strengthen and make clear Section 8 of the Act of 1881.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce) I am informed by the Land Commission that in dealing with the question of improvements when fixing judicial rents the Sub-Commissioners are governed by the Land Law Act of 1881, and subsequent Acts, the rules prescribed under those Acts, and the numerous judicial decisions interpreting the law as to the fixing of fair rents. I have no information as to the particular case referred to, except that an appeal from the order of the Sub-Commission is pending in the case.