§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the month of July, 1905, agreements were entered into by the tenants of the King-Harman estate living in the parish of Ballinamuck to purchase their holdings at terms fixed by the Master of the Rolls, which included a handing over of the bogs for the benefit of the tenants; whether for the past three years no interest in lieu of rent was called for in respect of this property; whether he is aware that by notice dated 10th November, 1908, the tenants have been called upon to pay up their old rents at Longford on 2nd December; whether he is aware that this break up of the sale will mean ruin to the 100 families on this property; and whether, in the interest of peace in the district, he will ask the Estates Commissioners to arrange to take over this property at once on the terms sanctioned by the Master of the Rolls.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the agreements referred to appear to have been provisional agreements indicating the price at which the tenants would be prepared to purchase, in the event of proceedings being instituted for the sale of the property to the Commissioners. An originating request for such a sale has 700 now been lodged and will be dealt with by the Commissioners as soon as possible, with the view of making an offer under Section 6 of the Act of 1903. Until the offer has been made and accepted, and until undertakings to purchase have been obtained from the tenants, the latter continue to be liable for rent. The Commissioners have no knowledge of any proceedings which the receiver may have been directed to take for the collection of rents now due.