§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Phibbs's grass ranch extends to the walls of the village of Riverstown, County Sligo; that Mr. Phibbs is an absentee and gives no employment upon that land; that some of the villagers have no land and some mere gardens; that they are willing, on the ranch being distributed among them, to pay its full value as ascertained by the Land Commission; and whether, in all the circumstances and in the interest of peace in the district, the Government will purchase and distribute that ranch.
§ MR. CHERRYI understand that this farm is situated as described. It is in grass and affords no employment. The owner lives about eight miles away. Up to the present he does not appear to have instituted proceedings for sale, but the Estates Commissioners will make inquiries.
CAPTAIN CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the gentleman mentioned in this Question has acted most generously by his neighbours since he succeeded to the property; that he has apportioned grass plots to them on the ordinary local terms from year to year, and that there is no foundation, therefore, for the insinuation in the Question?
§ MR. CHERRYI know nothing whatever about Mr. Phibbs. I never heard of him.
CAPTAIN CRAIGIs it a proper Question in which intimidatory language 1419 is used to compel the Government to purchase and distribute a ranch?
§ MR. CHERRYThat is a matter for Mr. Speaker.