HC Deb 17 May 1906 vol 157 cc656-7
MR. GINNELL (Westmeath, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state what is the practice of the Estates Commissioners when an estate comes before them, mainly agricultural or pastoral, but comprising a town or village inadequately provided with land, and also untenanted land adjacent thereto; and whether the Estates Commissioners can and will prevent the sale of such an estate except in its entirety, omitting demesne.

MR. CHERRY (for Mr. BRYCE)

The Estates Commissioners inform me that their practice, in such cases as are referred to, is to take into consideration the wants and circumstances of the occupiers of town or village holdings, and to deal with the properties on which town or village holdings are situate, having regard to the considerations set forth in the Regulations of 13th February last.

MR. GINNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland do the Estates Commissioners, before sanctioning sales of estates or of holdings subject to Board of Works charges, ascertain whether these are to be discharged out of the purchase money; and, if not, whether the purchasers have been informed that the charges will continue in addition to the annuities; and will it misapprehension on this point at the time of signing the agreement entitle the Commissioners to revise the price within the zones or without.

MR. CHERRY

I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that loans made by the Board of Works on the security of the vendor's interest in the lands are redeemed out of the purchase money. A Board of Works' charge on the tenant's interest only remains a charge on the lands, and the purchaser continues liable for the periodic payment in respect thereof. Maintenance rates which are struck at stated periods continue to affect the holding after purchase. If the Commissioners have reason to believe that the purchaser is under any misapprehension as to his future liability to such charges, inquiries are made. If the Commissioners are satisfied that either party has entered into an agreement under a mistake, they can refuse to act on the agreement.