§ Mr. LONSDALEasked whether, during the past three years, representations have been made by the Executive Government to the Estates Commissioners urging them to accelerate the proceedings on a number of properties which were before them for sale under the Land Act of 1903, and in respect of other properties to intervene with a view to effect a settlement of differences between owners and tenants; and whether the representations in such cases were made following upon and because of the commission of illegal combinations against owners or of overt acts of intimidation and crime?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOn various occasions during the past three years the Government has informed the Estates Commissioners of the existence of differences between landlords and tenants in connection with the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale of particular estates, and has suggested to the Commissioners that they should consider whether their action as conciliators would be beneficial to both 1052 parties and would lead to an amicable settlement of the dispute. Such representations have been made in accordance with Regulations of 13th February, 1906, which were presented to Parliament, and not for the reasons suggested in the question. In several of these cases the Commissioners have intervened with good results.