§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state on what grounds the Estates Commissioners have declined to enforce the provisions of The Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act, 1907, for the purpose of restoring Mr. John F. M'Quade to the holding from which be was formerly evicted in the townland of Drumhirk, on the Irvine estate, county Fermanagh; what is the cause of delay on the part of the Commissioners in acquiring this holding, compulsorily or otherwise, with a view to the reinstatement of M'Quade; and whether the Commissioners insist in restoring, where possible, each eligible evicted tenant to his former holding.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am unable to add anything to my reply to the Question asked by the hon. Member on the 28th October. It would be contrary to the established practice to state the reasons which actuate the Estates Commissioners in the exercise of their discretion.