§ Mr. HAVILAND-BURKEasked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet approved of the sale of Lord Digby's estate, barony of Geashill, King's County, to the tenants; whether he can say what provision has been made for the evicted tenants or the enlargement of the uneconomic holdings on the said estate; whether he is aware that a farm of 150 acres of untenanted land, all evicted land within the meaning of the Act of 1903, is being advertised for sale by private treaty on behalf of the landlord; and whether the Estates Commissioners will take steps to acquire this farm for the settlement of evicted tenants and the enlargement of uneconomic holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not approved of the sale of the Digby Estate. Purchase agreements were not lodged until August last, and the estate cannot be dealt with for some considerable time. The Commissioners have received six applications from persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants. In five of these cases they have decided, after inquiry, to take no action. The sixth was received after the date specified in the Evicted Tenants Act, and will be considered when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority. The Commissioners have no information as to the sale of the farm referred to in the question.
§ Mr. HAVILAND-BURKEasked the Chief Secretary whether he can say what amount of advance has been applied for by Mr. Reginald Digby, J.P., of Geashill Castle, agent to Lord Digby, for the purchase of land on that property; whether he is aware that all the land held by the agent is evicted land; and will the Estates Commissioners sanction an advance in this case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that a purchase agree- 29 ment signed by Mr. Digby has been lodged by the owner, and that the advance applied for is £2,312. When this estate is being inspected in its order of priority due inquiry will be made before the advance is sanctioned.