§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state how many acres of grazing land have been purchased by the Estates Commissioners during the past fifteen months for division among the applicants for small holdings; in how many cases had cattle been driven off these lands; and how many persons who have shared in the division of the lands are known to have taken an active part in cattle-driving.
§ MR. BIRRELLDuring the past fifteen months the Estates Commissioners have purchased 38,500 acres of untenanted land which has been used for the enlargement of existing holdings or the creation of new holdings. The Commissioners are not aware of any case in which cattle had been driven off any of the lands so purchased by them, and they have no knowledge that any of the per- 1152 sons to whom allotments were given had taken part in cattle-driving.
§ MR. LONSDALEDoes the right hon. Gentleman adhere to the promise he gave to a deputation on 13th December last that persons who took part in cattle-drives should be considered unsuitable tenants for these grazing lands?
§ MR. BIRRELLCertainly.