§ MR. GINNELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Willie T. Potts holds, in addition to land in Scotland, 2,500 acres of untenanted grassland in South Roscommon, exclusive of his demesne, and is at present using the compulsion of writs, seizures, and threats of eviction to force his tenants in the Same county to purchase, at high prices, uneconomic holdings without enlargement or improvement; and, in view of the intentions of Parliament in 1903 and of the present legislative proposals of the Government, whether he proposes to take any steps, in his Land Bill or otherwise, to deal with such cases.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I have no information with respect to the first part of the Question beyond what has recently appeared in the public Press. The Estates Commissioners have more than once addressed letters to Mr. Potts, under the regulations of 13th February, 1906, with a view to ascertaining whether there is untenanted land on his estate suitable for purchase, but have received no replies.