§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will give the number of mansion houses and their valuation, and the number, acreage, and valuation of the demesnes, that have come into the hands of the Estates Commissioners since the passing of the Land Purchase Act of 1903; if he will state what has been done with these houses and lands; and how many acres of timber have come into the hands of the Estates Commissioners since 1903, how this timber has been disposed of, and what, price it has realised.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that three mansion houses with demesnes attached, included in estates sold to them but not repurchased by the owners, have come into their hands since the passing of the Act of 1903, the combined valuation of the houses being £120 5s., and the total acreage of the demesnes attached about 346 746. In each ease the greater part of the demesne has been either distributed amongst tenants on neighbouring estates for the enlargement of their holdings, or used for the reinstatement of evicted tenants. The mansion houses, with the remainder of the lands, including timber, have been let on leases which prohibit the lessees from cutting such timber without the Commissioners' consent. The Commissioners are not at present in a position to give a return of acreage under timber on estates purchased by them, but arrangements have been made for the sale, for £3,986, of timber on lands which have been purchased by them and are being divided among tenant purchasers, the clearing of the lands from timber being necessary in these cases for the purposes of resale.