§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether negotiations have been going on for some time between the receiver and the agricultural tenants on the estate of the Lamberts' Minors, near Athenry, for the sale to the tenants of their holdings; can he say what was the price demanded from the tenants, as also what offer was made by the tenants; and whether, having regard to the fact that the receiver is now suing the tenants for rent and arrears for the purpose of forcing them into agreements, he will ask the Estates Commissioners to offer their friendly offices to try and bring about a just and honourable settlement.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the estate in question is not for sale in the Land Judge's Court, but is, however, managed by the Land Judge on behalf of the Lord-Chancellor, who has given permission to the receiver to negotiate for a sale to the tenants. I am informed that the terms of sale offered to first term tenants were twenty-one and half years purchase, which would give a reduction of 6s. in the pound; and to second term tenants twenty-four and two-thirds years purchase, which would give a reduction of 4s. in the pound. The tenants have offered eighteen and one-half years and twenty-one and one-half years purchase, respectively, which 593 offers were considered entirely inadequate. The receiver is not suing for the recovery of rent, but has called upon the tenants to pay the half year's rent due on 1st May, 1905. The case does not appear to be one in which the Estates Commissioners could intervene under Section 8 of the regulations.