§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have informed the Treasury that in sales of jointly-owned property, carried out under the Irish Land Act of 1903, one 1292 of the joint owners receives the price of the entire property, with a bonus of 12 per cent, calculated upon that price, and the other joint owner is made liable for the repayment of that price with interest; has the point been raised by council before the Court of Appeal that, to the extent of the tenant's property in his holding, there is no sale of that property to him, and therefore no price and no bonus due; if not, will they take steps to have that point raised and decided at the earliest possible date; and, if not, will they state the reason or obstacle against pursuing that course.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the Estates Commissioners that they have not communicated to the Treasury any information to the effect mentioned; and they are not aware that any such transaction as is described would be possible under the Act of 1903, nor are they aware that any such question has been discussed in the Court of Appeal. As the Commissioners do not think that the question can arise, they are unable to promise to take steps to have it decided.