§ MR. J. P. FARRELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are aware that in the case of Charles Burnett, a tenant on Sir Walter Nugent's estate at Lisnageera, county Longford, who purchasd his holding, under the Land Act of 1901, in 1903, a statute acre of land was taken off this farm for a labourer's cottage for which landlord and tenant received compensation for severance, yet the Commissioners 199 insist on charging Burnett for the full area of his original farm, and refuse to deduct from the same the acre which he has lost, and which is now the property of Granard No. 1 District Council; whether he is aware that this has been going on for four years, so that four years annuity in respect of this acre which he does not possess have now been charged and recovered against him; and will he therefore direct that this case be inquired into, and that the necessary rebate and reimbursement be made forthwith to Burnett.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Land Commission inform me that this matter has been brought to their notice. No payment in reduction of the outstanding advance has yet been made to the Commissioners in respect of the plot stated to have been taken for a labourer's cottage, and the Commissioners are therefore unable to make a reduction in the annuity. They are, however, making inquiries into the case.