§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that arrangements for the sale of the Fermanagh estate of the Marquess of Ely were made very shortly after the passing of the Purchase Act of 1903, but could not be proceeded with owing to the decision of Mr. Justice Ross that Lord Ely would not be entitled to the bonds owing to a defect in the Act; that the sale thus lost priority, as so many estates came in before the passing of the Amending Act in 1904; and if a fresh arrangement for sale were now made would the Estates Commissioners be prepared to deal promptly with the estate, so as to save the tenants in some degree from the loss caused by the delay.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY For IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.)The Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings for the sale of this estate are at present before them. If such proceedings should be instituted, the Commissioners would duly consider any application to expedite the sale which might be made.