MR. O'SHATJGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the sub-Commission, consisting of Messrs. Croasdale and Crean, when fixing second-term rents in the county of Limerick, since the Land Act, 1903, in some cases raised the rents and in other cases fixed the rents higher than the landlord's valuer; if he can say on 1386 what grounds such decisions were arrived at; whether he can also say why the Commissioners Falkiner and Baggot were removed from this county; and will he draw a comparison between the rents fixed by them and Messrs. Crean and Croasdale.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Land Commission that, since the passing of the Act of 1903, fair rents have been fixed by the sub-Commission Courts in county Limerick in 504 cases. In two only of these cases were the rents fixed for a second term higher than the first-term rents. In 34 cases the former rents were confirmed, and in the remaining 468 cases the former rents were reduced. The evidence and estimates of value given in fair rent cases on behalf of the landlords and tenants, respectively, are not part of the official records of such cases. The concluding inquiries of the question refer to matters upon which the Land Commission have not given me any information, and upon which I am not in a position to express any opinion. They are not under my jurisdiction. The law provides the right of appeal from the decisions of sub-Commission Courts, as I have already repeatedly pointed out.