MR. C. MACVEIGH (Donegal, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Samuel Keys to be reinstated in his farm at Tammakeerey, County Tyrone, on the estate of the Duke of Abercorn, from which he was evicted four years ago for non-payment of rent; whether he is aware that the planter, Miss Crumley, now in occupation of the farm is willing to give it up if paid compensation; and whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to send down an inspector to inquire into Keys' case and have him reinstated or compensated for the loss of his farm.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the application in question was received after the date specified in the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot be dealt with under that Act. The Commissioners are not aware that the present occupier of the farm is willing to surrender it on receiving compensation. The application will be considered if and when the lands are being dealt with under the Irish Land Act, 1903.