HC Deb 09 August 1909 vol 9 cc6-7
Mr. HAVILAND-BURKE

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Mr. Browne, agent of Lady Emily Bury, is threatening eviction against the brother, sister, son, and daughter of the late Mrs. Condron from their house and a small portion of land on the Charleville-road, near Tullamore; that shortly before she died Mrs. Condron advertised the place for sale, and Mr. Browne, enforcing the landlord right of pre-emption, offered £10 for the tenant's interest, which the Estates Commissioners' valuation subsequently compelled Mr. Browne to increase to £50; and that, when Mrs. Condron died and her representatives decided to live on in the homestead that their family had built and paid for, Mr. Browne, acting for Lady Emily Bury, refused to accept them as tenants, although they have repeatedly offered every shilling of rent due; and whether, in view of the circumstances, the forces of the Crown will be permitted to do any bailiff's work in the eviction of the Condrons should it take place?

The HON. MEMBER

asked whether the Chief Secretary had considered cases of the exercise of the right of pre-emption by landlords in Ireland and the agents of the Charleville estate, near Tullamore, namely, to evict tenants for the purpose of converting tenant farms into home farms and the enlargement of their own demesne lands; and whether His Majesty's Government will take this matter into consideration in the course of future discussion on the Irish Land Bill?

Mr. T. W. RUSSELL

The proceedings referred to appear to have been in accordance with the provisions of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881, which gives the landlord the right to purchase a tenancy v/hen, as in this case, a tenant has expressed the intention of selling it. I understand that the true value of the tenancy mentioned in the question was fixed by a Sub-Commission Court at £50, and that there was no appeal against that decision. It is not proposed to alter the law on the subject. The Executive Government has no power to refuse the protection of the forces of the Crown to the Sheriff when engaged in the execution of a writ issued by a court of law.