HC Deb 15 August 1907 vol 180 cc1614-5
MR. BARRIE (Londonderry, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he proposes to continue the present system under which assistant inspectors first report on claims for reinstatement by alleged evicted tenants and are then required to supervise any sanctioned reinstatements in the same districts and make payment to them of authorised grants and advances from the reserve fund, or whether he will consider the advisability of arranging that these important duties should be discharged by different officers.

MR. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the system referred to in the Question was a good one, and worked satisfactorily, and I am not aware of any reason why it should not be continued. I may, however, mention that the special staff of assistant inspectors for evicted tenants' cases has recently been dispensed with, and the expenditure of free grants and advances from the reserve fund is now supervised by the ordinary staff.

MR. BARRIE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the reports of assistant inspectors, appointed to investigate claims of alleged evicted tenants, are subjected to any system of checking before being adopted by the Estates Commissioners.

MR. BIRRELL

The reports of assistant inspectors are carefully examined and checked before being adopted by the Estates Commissioners, but, of course, a second inspector is not sent to the locality to inquire afresh into the case unless some special necessity should arise.