§ Mr. REDDY (on behalf of Mr. Delany)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether representations had been received by the Estates Commissioners from local public bodies relative to the untenanted land, amounting to 500 acres, on the estate of the late Arthur J. Owen, situated in the townlands of Shanavochy and Bordwell, parish of Aghaboe, Queen's County, requesting them to purchase the same for division amongst the occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the locality; whether he was aware that Lord Castletown was in treaty with the owners for the purchase of those lands to enlarge his estate; and would he say what steps the Estates Commissioners propose taking to acquire them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have received the representations referred to. If the owner institutes proceedings for sale under the Act of 1903 they will have the property inspected in due course. They do not propose to acquire the lands under the Evicted Tenants Act.