§ MR GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the case of a divided farm on the Harlech estate, county Westmeath, the landlord, on the valuation of his own valuer voluntarily gave a reduction of £19 on the rent of the portion retained by the former occupant, and that the Land Commission gave no reduction on the rent of the portion transferred, although an acre had been taken off the latter for the use of a labourer; and will he devise some practical means of testing the ability and impartiality of the Sub-Commissioners.
MR BRYCEThe Land Commission are unable to trace the case referred to upon their records from the information given in the Question. In regard to the final inquiry of the Question, I may state that, under the rules 308 of March 13th, 1899, lay assistant Commissioners appointed for the first time since that date are tested by the Civil Service Commissioners, in, amongst other subjects, agriculture and the principles of surveying. I do not see what test of the impartiality of the decisions of the Sub-Commissioners can be supplied otherwise than by the right of appeal already provided for by law.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.)Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the proper persons to fix rents for tenants in Ireland are broken down landlords and land agents.
§ [No Answer was returned.]