HC Deb 02 May 1906 vol 156 cc567-8
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any special extra staff of inspectors, in connection with the work of reinstating evicted tenants in Ireland, has been sanctioned by the Treasury; and, if not, will he explain why; and whether the Irish Government intend to take any steps to expedite the work of reinstating evicted tenants.

MR. BRYCE

The Treasury have sanctioned the employment of six assistant inspectors for the purpose of inquiring into the cases of evicted tenants, and the necessary appointments will be made with the least possible delay.

MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of evicted tenants reinstated in their old holdings, and the number placed in new farms, since January 1st, 1906, and the amount of money which has been issued by way of free grant, and of loan, respectively, in connection with those cases of reinstatement.

MR. BRYCE

The Estates Commissioners estimate, from the information available to them, that 101 evicted tenants were reinstated in their former holdings between January 1st and March 31st, 1906. In addition, one evicted tenant was provided with a new holding. Free grants, amounting to £525, and advances for improvements, amounting to £100, have been issued, or are in course of issue, in connection with the reinstatement of these evicted tenants. It is hoped that proceedings will now be sensibly accelerated.

MR. DILLON

Were any of these evicted tenants re-instated by the landlords, or all through the agency of the Estates Commissioners?

MR. BRYCE

Judging from the information supplied me, they were reinstated by the Estates Commissioners. I will, however, inquire if the hon. Member wishes.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

At this rate of progress how many years will it take to settle the evicted tenants' question?

MR. BRYCE

The hon. Member knows as well as I do that there were causes in existence till lately which prevented progress being made.

MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)

How many of the tenants re-instated immediately sold their holdings?

MR. BRYCE

I have no information as to that, but I should think it extremely improbable that more than the smallest number did.