HC Deb 01 May 1907 vol 173 cc876-7
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland in reference to the removal of inspectors from one district to another whether the Commissioners are aware that in many cases the files relating to evicted tenants' claims are handed over by the outgoing inspector to new men who have to begin de novo the investigation of estates previously examined and in some instances reported on; is he aware that in the union districts of Kanturk and Millstreet, County Cork, three inspectors have been successively engaged in inquiring into the question of evicted tenants and untenanted lands within the past twelve months; and whether the Commissioners will consider the advisability of making more permanent the stay of the inspectors in the different districts to which they have been appointed.

MR. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners are aware that in three instances in County Cork it was necessary, owing to the promotion or retirement of an inspector, to transfer the files of papers relating to evicted tenants to another inspector. It was unavoidable that some inconvenience and delay should be caused in these cases, but such a state of things is quite exceptional.

MR. FLYNN

Is it not the fact that the constant changing of inspectors materially retards the work of restoring these tenants to their holdings?

MR. BIRRELL

It is most undesirable, I admit, that there should be so much delay, but I am afraid that these changes are unavoidable.