HC Deb 10 December 1908 vol 198 cc773-4
MR. LUNDON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Hatte, head clerk in the office of Mr. Robert Sanders, land agent, of Charleville, who alleges he has a genuine tenancy of the evicted farms of John McGrath and the late Thomas Barry on the Cooper estate, near Knocklong, county Limerick, on a recent occasion offered to surrender the tenancy of whatever kind it may be if the Estates Commissioners gave him £200 compensation; and will the Estates Commissioners arrange with Mr. Hatte, so as to lead to the restoration of their evicted farms to John McGrath and the representatives of the late Thomas Barry.

MR. BIRRELL

Purchase agreements have been signed by Mr. Hatte as tenant in occupation of the holdings of this estate formerly occupied by McGrath's father and the late Thomas Barry, and the question of the tenancies under which he holds the land will be inquired into by the Estates Commissioners when they are dealing with this estate. The Commissioners are not aware that Mr. Hatte has offered to surrender the holdings on receiving the sum referred to.

MR. LUNDON

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider Hatte a suitable tenant?

MR. BIRRELL

I know nothing about him whatever.