§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the proposed sale of the estate of the Earl of Drogheda, near Rosenallis, Queen's county, to the tenants, arrears amounting to from one to one and a half's years rent have been added to the purchase; and, in view of this procedure and the terms of purchase agreed upon, amounting in some instances to 26.3 years purchase of existing rents, can he say whether the Estates Commissioners are prepared to sanction the sale.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the case of the estate in question is at present in the hands of their inspector, who has been directed to make an inspection and furnish a report thereon. No ruling as to sanction or otherwise will be made by the Estates Commissioners until they have their inspector's report before them, and the matter referred to in the Question will be then duly considered.