§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the prices at which Colonel Smythe of Gaybrook, Westmeath, has offered to sell one of his estates, under the Land Act of 1903; is he aware that three tenants, having refused to sign purchase agreements on the landlord's terms, have since been served with writs, one for two years rents, and one for a hanging gale, no more being due; whether the Estates Commissioners will treat this conduct as duress, and, irrespective of the zones, refuse to sanction any sale of this estate except at fair prices; and whether any steps will be taken to restrain or dissuade Colonel Smythe from taking legal proceedings against these tenants in the meantime.
MR. BRYCEI beg to refer to my replies to the hon. Member's Questions of February 26th †and March Gth.‡ I have already stated that, if proceedings for the sale of the estate in question should come before the Estates Commissioners, they will, before sanctioning any
†See (4) Debates, clii., 764.‡See (4) Debates, cliii., 308.1425 advance, make such inquiry into the circumstances of the case as may be within their province as defined by law. I am unable to make any statement as to what action the Commissioners may take in a case which has not yet come before them.
§ MR. GINNELLMy Question relates to an entirely different landlord?