§ MR. PATRICK WHITE (Meath, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Rotheram, of Crossdrum, Oldcastle, county Meath, has offered a considerable area of untenanted land for sale to the Estates Commissioners; and if, in the event of their becoming purchasers, they will in its distribution have regard to the prior claims of the descendants of people who were evicted from those lands some years ago, and after satisfying their requirements, they will next consider the claims of labourers resident in the district.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are negotiating for the purchase of certain tenanted and untenanted land from Mr. Rotheram. If the Commissioners should acquire the property they will, in disposing of the untenanted land, have due regard to the claims of all persons who may be eligible under the Act to receive such land.