§ MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, having regard to the representations of all the local public bodies in connection with the occupation of the farms at Cragg and Ardcrone, county Kerry, by the Congested Districts Board, he can induce the Board to consider a satisfactory settlement of the claims of the former tenants; and if he can state what use has been made by the Board of these farms during the two years they have been in possession of them.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The farms in question were occupied by tenant
† See Col. 99.62 purchasers under the Land Purchase Acts who, upwards of twelve years ago, lost their interests through default in the payment of their annuities. In 1903 the Congested Districts Board acquired the tenant purchasers' interests in the farms for £300, and they have since redeemed the Land Commission annuity by a payment of £2,793. The Board purchased the farms for migration purposes, but have so far been obliged to use them for grazing. The Board would regard it as entirely against public policy to reinstate defaulting annuitants under the Land Purchase Acts. They have often stated that this must be their policy, and they do not intend to depart from it.