HC Deb 31 August 1909 vol 10 cc182-4
Mr. W. ABRAHAM (Cork, N.E.)

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of evicted tenants or their representatives who have applied to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement in their former holdings on the Kingston and other estates in the neighbourhood of Mitchels-town, and how many still remain unpro- vided for; how many uneconomic holdings existed on the Kingston and other estates in the locality sold under the Land Purchase Act of 1903; can he state the number of agricultural labourers without allotments in the neighbourhood of Mitchelstown when these estates were being sold; and whether Mr. Sydney Smith, an inspector from the Estates Commissioners, before allotting a large part of the lands of Kildrum to Thomas Robinson, a wealthy man who had offered £3,000 for the interest in a farm, inquired into and satisfied himself that his scheme for the division of the lands in question had met the claims of evicted tenants, uneconomic holders, and agricultural labourers in the district?

Mr. CHERRY

The Estates Commissioners have received applications from 24 persons seeking reinstatement as former tenants or the representatives of former tenants on the Kingston estate. Six of these persons have been reinstated or provided with other holdings. In fifteen cases the Commissioners decided to take no action, and the three remaining applications were not received within the time mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. As regards the case of Mr. Thomas Robinson, I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the question asked by the hon. Member on the 23rd instant. The Estates Commissioners are unable to furnish the other particulars asked for in the question.

Mr. W. ABRAHAM

Am I to understand that it is part of the policy of the Estates Commissioners to give untenanted land to persons in possession of means?

Mr. CHERRY

I do not think so, except in very exceptional circumstances. I think there were exceptional circumstances in this case.

Mr. W. ABRAHAM

Could the right hon. Gentleman state what the exceptional circumstances are?

Mr. CHERRY

I could not at the moment; perhaps the hon. Member will kindly put down another question.

Mr. JOHN MURPHY

asked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay on the part of the Estates Commissioners in completing the reinstatement of Mr. Daniel O'Donoghue, of Ballycasheen, near Killarney, evicted tenant; whether Mr. D. C. Coltsmann, J.P., D.L., who is in occupation of the lands, has offered to facilitate the Commissioners in every way to carry out the reinstatement; and whether many more years will have to elapse before it is effected?

Mr. CHERRY

The Estates Commissioners are not prepared to pay the amount of compensation required by the present occupier of the farm in question. They have noted O'Donoghue's application for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land.

Mr. MURPHY

Having regard to the fact that the landlord has offered to facilitate the reinstatement of his tenant, will the right hon. Gentleman direct the Estates Commissioners to do something for one of the evicted tenants in Kerry?

Mr. CHERRY

I would not like to interfere with the Estates Commissioners in this duty at all. I think it would be rather inconvenient if the Government were to say what evicted tenants should be reinstated.