§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what do the Government propose to do for the families of evicted tenants in Ireland whose claims are morally and legally good, but who, owing to the death or exile of male members consequent on eviction, are, in the opinion of the Estates Commissioners, not suitable to receive holdings.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt does not appear to have been intended by the Act of 1903 that evicted tenants should be compensated in money for the loss of their farms, but rather that such of them as were able to work land should, if possible, be provided with suitable farms. The only funds at the disposal of the Estates Commissioners for assisting evicted tenants is the Reserve Fund, upon which the Commissioners can draw, in the case of the sale of an estate, for the benefit or improvement of the estate or generally for the purposes of the Act. In the opinion of the Commissioners, these words would not cover grants of money to evicted tenants who are not in occupation of land on any estate, and whom it is not proposed to put in occupation of any such land.
§ MR. GINNELLCan nothing be done for families of this description?
§ MR. BIRRELLAt the present moment I am unable to give a definite Answer.