§ MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN (Tipperary, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state upon what grounds the Estates Commissioners are giving portions of the untenanted lands of the De Montalt estate, Dundrum, County Tipperary, to the sons of farmers who already occupy farms of 60 and 70 acres each, whilst excluding those whose holdings are uneconomic, being valued at about £5 and under; and can he say under what section of the Act of 1903 have portions of the De Montalt estate been given to the Rev. Mr. De Boe and to Messrs. Fraser, Scott, Hadnett, and Hickey.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate was on resale divided into 100 parcels which were allotted to 100 different persons. Seven parcels only were allotted to the sons of tenants who occupy 60 acres or upwards. These sons of tenants were eligible to receive parcels under Section 2 (1) (a) of the Act; and in the Commissioners' opinion they were fit and proper persons to be allotted parcels. In distributing the land, the Commissioners have acted to the best of their judgment and in the exercise of the discretion vested in them by Parliament. The Rev. Mr. Du Boe and Messrs. Fraser and Scott are being made tenants to the Commissioners, with the view to subsequent sale to them. It has been judicially decided that the Commissioners have power to make lettings. Mr. Hadnett is eligible under Section 2 (1), both as a tenant and the son of a tenant, and Mr. Hickey is also eligible as the son of a tenant.