§ MR. JOHN ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners intend to purchase the entire Butson estate at Clonfert, county Galway; and, if purchase is completed, will they enlarge all the small holdings upon the estate, and, in addition, give new holdings to those who require them in the district.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are negotiating for the purchase of 2,084 acres of tenanted land, 1,100 acres of untenanted land, and 906 acres of bog land, comprised in the estate referred to in the Question. If the Commissioners should acquire the untenanted lands, they will duly consider the claims of the tenants on the estate and of other local applicants.
† See (4) Debates, clxi., 1442.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)In the meantime will the police protection be real and effective and not a mere adjunct?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe police protection is as real and effective as is possible under the circumstances.