§ MR. BRIDGEMANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will advise the Estates Commissioners, or ensure in some other way, that the consideration of purchase by the State of grazing farms which have been surrendered and have come into the market in consequence of intimidation shall be deferred until such estates as are legitimately vacant shall have
†See (4) Debates, clxxiv., 369.800 been disposed of under the Land Act of 1903.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.If the hon. Member's suggestion were acted upon the result would be that landlords who may have already suffered by having grazing farms left on their hands would still further suffer by being unable to sell such farms. I may however observe that on a previous occasion the Estates Commissioners have declared that if they should purchase untenanted lands in regard to which intimidation has taken place, they might be constrained to refuse to allot any portion of the land to persons who may have taken part in any such intimidation. I have repeatedly stated that all possible protection will be afforded to the occupiers of grazing farms in the exercise of their legal rights.
§ MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)Is the intimidation so general as to make the danger a real one?
§ MR. BIRRELLNo, I do not think it is.