§ MR. HAZLETONTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board, which purchased the Roderick O'Connor estate in May, 1907, have again demanded this month from the tenants on the Galway portion of the estate the old rents without any reduction; if so, will he say why has no reduction been made as expected, and when is it to come into operation.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) A year's rent has been demanded by the Congested Districts Board, as stated in the Question. The estate has not yet been vested in the Congested Districts Board as their property, and they have therefore no power to reduce the rents. The holdings on the Galway section of the estate will be re-sold as soon as possible after the estate has been vested in the Board.