§ MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the Land Commission have recently obtained judgment against a tenant named Reidy for non-payment of an annuity due under a purchase agreement signed eighteen years ago; whether this annuity has been shown to the Land Commission to be excessive; whether, after an inspection of the lands, it has been declared by an inspector of another Government department that the occupier is paying too high a rent in the form of an annuity; and if he can take any steps to save this occupier from eviction and prevent other occupiers from placing themselves in a similar position by the payment of excessive prices for their lands.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the Land Commission that the sale to the tenant purchaser in this case took place twenty years ago. The Commissioners recently obtained judgment for a half year's annuity due on May 1st, 1905. Further proceedings in the matter were deferred at the request of the tenant purchaser, who expressed the wish to dispose of his interest in the holding, and has since advertised a sale by auction. The Commissioners have no information that the annuity is excessive, or that the holding has been inspected on behalf of another Government department.
§ MR. MURPHYAs the farm was not sold when put up will the right hon. Gentleman recommend the Land Commissioners to comply with the tenant's request for a remission?
MR. BRYCEI will convey the suggestion of the hon. Member to the Commission, but I have no right to make any recommendations.