HC Deb 03 December 1908 vol 197 cc1699-700
MR. FLAVIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Linsey Talbot Crosbie, of Ardfert, has sold his estate in North Kerry to the tenants; whether the Estates Commissioners were aware that when the estate was being sold that Mr. Crosbie had in his possession, outside of his demesne land, nearly 400 acres of grazing land; and whether the Estates Commissioners sanctioned the sale of the tenanted land without acquiring the grazing land for the enlargement of uneconomic holdings on the estate.

MR. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the tenanted portion of this estate was purchased and vested in the tenants in 1906. The owner applied to be allowed to re-purchase some 850 acres of demesne and other lands in his own occupation, but this was not sanctioned. He has since arranged to sell over 300 acres to persons coming within Section 2 of the Irish Land Act, 1903.

MR. FLAVIN

Have the Estates Commissioners acquired this estate at their own price, and do they intend to divide it themselves?

MR. BIRRELL

I must have notice of that.

MR. FLAVIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to them to take care in dividing the land to bear in mind the needs of the poor people of the neighbourhood?

MR. BIRRELL

That is one of the objects of acquiring the estate.

MR. FLAVIN

But it is not done.