§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many second-term rents have been fixed during the past twelve months by Sub-Commissioner M'Connell on the county Down estates of the Earl of Annesley and the Marquis of Downshire respectively, and the average per cent. reduction on each estate; whether he can 1273 state if the withdrawal by these landlords of the scale of voluntary reductions is traceable to the decisions of the lay Sub-Commissioner; and, if not, whether any other reason is assigned by the Chief Land Commission.
MR. BRYCEThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the assistant Commissioner named in the Question has himself judicially fixed rents. He is but one member of a Sub-Commission Court which fixes rents. I am informed by the Land Commission that they do not think it desirable to discuss the merits of the judicial decisions of Sub-Commission Courts. If any party to a case is dissatisfied with the decision, he has a remedy in the right of appeal conferred by statute.
§ MR. MACVEAGHThe right hon. Gentleman has not said if landlords have withdrawn their scales of voluntary reductions in this district in consequence of the decisions of this Sub-Commissioner.
§ MR. MACVEAGH: I have put that Question twice. I will put it again.