§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners fixed 1st November last as the date on which they would announce to whom allotments would be made of land in their hands for that purpose in Dunleer, County Louth, and that so far nothing has been done; whether he is aware that discontent exists in the neighbourhood on account of the delay; and whether he will hasten the allocation of allotments, and take steps to ensure that no preferential treatment is accorded to nominees of the United Irish League.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.The Estates Commissioners inform me that they did not fix 1st November as the date for the allotment of these lands. The allotment will be made when the Commissioners have completed their arrangements for the resale of the lands.
§ CAPTAIN CRAIGWill the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the Question which deals with the preferential treatment accorded to nominees of the United Irish League?
§ MR. BIRRELLNo such preferential treatment is ever accorded.
§ CAPTAIN CRAIGSince when has that been the regulation?
§ MR. BIRRELLFrom the beginning.