§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the amount of untenanted land purchased and still in the possession of the Congested Districts Board in the county Roscommon; when this land is likely to be distributed; and whether he can state the amount of such land, if any, in the possession of the Estates Commissioners, and the amount for which negotiations are proceeding by either the Board or the Commissioners.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Congested Districts Board have agreed to purchase 5,739 acres of untenanted land in county Roscommon, of which 2,362 acres have been vested in the Board. Arrangements for the disposal of the latter area are now in progress. No steps for the disposal of the remaining 3,377 acres can be taken until the property has been vested in the Board. Pending the Report of the Royal Commission on Congestion, the Board are not negotiating for further purchases. The Estates Commissioners have purchased 2,272 acres in Roscommon, of which 952 acres have been re-sold to tenant purchasers, and practically all the residue is being sold to evicted tenants and others who come within the terms of Section 2 (1) of the Act. The Commissioners have agreed to purchase 346 acres in addition, and negotiations for the purchase of 7,117 acres are in progress.