§ MR. J. P. FARRELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any proposals have yet been made to or by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the Crofton estate at Kiltycreevagh in North Longford; whether he is aware that for at least two years past there are at least six persons claiming to own this property, on which there are sixty farms, most of them being under £4 valuation; whether he is aware that the tenants are anxious to have this estate purchased by the Estates Commissioners as a congested estate, and so dealt with by them; whether any inspection of the property can be ordered with a view to such purchase; and, if so, will he direct that an inspector will visit this district with a view to making a Report on the general state of the property and its being an estate which conies within the meaning of the Land Purchase Act of 1903.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners assume that this Question refers to the estate of Miss M. A. Crofton, county Leitrim. They inform me that 975 they have had this estate inspected with a view to purchase, and have communicated to the owner's agent the estimated price which they are prepared to give, but have not yet heard whether the owner will accept that price. The Commissioners are not aware of any complications in the title, but this will be a matter for subsequent investigation.