§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether two evicted farms on the estate of Captain Fitzgate, situate in the northern Parliamentary division of county Louth, were lately inspected by an inspector from the offices of the Estates Commissioners; whether the Commissioners offered to purchase the farms in question from the landlords for the purpose of reinstating two evicted tenants, originally in possession of these lands, named respectively Patrick Callan 340 and John Wiseman; whether the Commissioners' offer was accepted by the landlord; and, if so, will he explain the delay in putting the evicted tenants into possession.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell) The Esstates Commissioners inform me that they have had a preliminary inspection made of the farms in question, with the view of bringing about the restoration of the evicted tenants mentioned. The owner has expressed his willingness to sell at the Commissioners' estimated prices, and has accordingly instituted formal proceedings for sale to the Commissioners. The purchase will be carried through as soon as title has been proved and the other legal requirements have been complied with.