§ MR. J. PHILLIPS (Longford, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners are about to acquire compulsorily for the benefit of the evicted tenants about 400 acres of land on the Douglas estate, County Longford; whether, with a view to fixing the price, an inspector visited and inspected, these lands only last week; whether within the last few days a local grazier's son named Harris Martin has stepped in and become tenant of part of the lands about to be so acquired; and, if so, will he, in the interest of the peace of the district, request the Estates Commissioners to expedite the negotiations and clear out the new occupier.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am making inquiries as to the case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.