§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary is he aware that a number of tenants on the estate of Captain Harkness, situate at Garryfine, Bruree, in the county of Limerick are refusing to sign agreements to purchase their holdings until the Dunworth family are reinstated in their evicted farm on the estate; if he can say what action the Estates Commissioners were taking with R. M. D. Saunders, who was in occupation of the farm, with the view to bringing about their reinstatement; and if he can say whether the Commissioners were taking any steps to get a number of the tenants to agree to purchase before having settled the Dunworth case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that certain tenants on this estate have not agreed to purchase their holdings, apparently for the reasons stated in the question. The estate has recently been inspected, and the Commissioners will consider their inspectors' report at an early date. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an inspector of the Estates Commissioners went to these tenants and told them that unless they agreed to sign the agreements the remainder of the estate would be declared a settled estate? Had he the authority of the Estates Commissioners for doing so?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have no knowledge of that matter, but I will inquire.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYI have a letter to that effect.