§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the fact that the Irish Land Commission was not proceeding against Mrs. Early, of the Chapman estate, Westmeath, pending investigation of the disputed agreement signed by her under duress of the vendor's bailiff and witnessed only by the bailiff, if he would explain why the Land Commission had now, without any investigation, served Mrs. Early with a civil bill under the vitiated agreement; and whether lie would take steps to have the proceedings stayed until the value of the farm had been ascertained by official inspection and a new agreement made in accordance with the value?
§ Mr. CHERRYAs the Hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners will, when the estate is being inspected in its proper turn, inquire into the allegation that Mrs. Early signed a purchase agreement under duress. In the meantime the Commissioners are bound by statute to collect and pay over to the owner the interest on the purchase money, which is considerably below the rent the tenant would otherwise have to pay. If Mrs. Early thinks that she is not legally liable she can have the matter decided in the County Court.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this question was 1029 asked on a previous occasion, the Chief Secretary said that the Commissioners would not proceed against this woman?