§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any agreement for the sale of the Ely estate, county Fermanagh, has yet been lodged with the Estates Commissioners; have the Estates Commissioners approached the owner of this large estate with a view to inducing him to sell the estate; and will he direct the attention of the Commissioners to the importance of so large a property being sold to the tenants.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that no agreements for purchase in respect of this estate have yet been lodged with the Estates Commissioners, and the Commissioners are not aware that there have been such negotiations and differences as to terms of purchase as would bring the case within the terms of the Lord-Lieutenant's regulation regarding their action as conciliators. The Commissioners, however, are prepared to consider any application which may be made to them in the matter.
†See (4) Debates, clxv.,1407.