§ MR. LARDNERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state when the Estates Commissioners were offered the estate of the Trustees of Sternes Charities, situate in the Counties of Monaghan and Armagh, for sale by them to the tenants; when it will be inspected by the Commissioners; and if there is any likelihood of the sale being completed at an early date.
§ MR. BIRRELLFormal proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners were instituted on 19th December, 1906. The Commissioners have referred the case to their inspector, 507 but have not yet received his Report on the estate. It is not at present possible to say when the sale will be completed.
§ MR. LARDNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the effect of this delay has been an addition of two years to the purchase money?
§ MR. BIRRELLI regret the delay which very often occurs, but we are doing our best to accelerate matters.