MR. C. MACVEIGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what is the cause of the delay on the part of the Estates Commissioners in completing the sale to the tenants on the Donegal Estate of the Duke of Abercorn; if an inspector has visited the estate, and the agreements to purchase were signed in 1904; and, in view of the fact that the tenants are paying 3½ per cent. on their purchase money without reducing the term of their annuities, will he cause this sale to be immediately completed.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have taken up this case in order of priority, and have received their inspector's report upon the estate. Certain legal questions have arisen out of the report, and these have been referred to the vendor's solicitor. The completion of the sale will depend upon the rapidity with which these queries are discharged.