Captain CRAIG (for Mr. Fetherstonhaugh)asked how many persons in county Fermanagh have been approved of by the Estates Commissioners as suitable persons to be provided with holdings under the Evicted Tenants Act; for how many of these is it contemplated to provide out of the 315 acres which the Estates Commissioners have taken steps to acquire; when did they initiate proceedings as to the 315 acres; and why do they not proceed to acquire a reasonably adequate area of land in the county to provide for the evicted tenants whose claims they have approved?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe applications of 61 persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants in county Fermanagh have been provisionally noted by the Estates Commissioners for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land to be acquired by the Commissioners, and the greater number of these persons can be provided for on untenanted lands for the sale of which proceedings are pending under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. The proceedings in respect of the lands in the county which are being acquired under the latter Act were instituted in September and October last.
§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked whether the Estates Commissioners have taken, or propose to take, any steps to negotiate for the reinstatement of Mr. Denis Healy, League Cottage, Headfort, county Kerry, in the farm from which he was evicted on the Coltemann estate and which they allowed to be sold to a grabber, against the wishes of the landlord and every representative person in the district?
§ Mr. CHERRYAs the hon. Member has already been informed, in reply to a question asked by him on 20th May last, the Estates Commissioners do not propose to negotiate for Healy's reinstatement. The statement in the concluding paragraph of the question does not correctly represent the facts of the case as explained by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary in reply to previous questions.
§ Mr. MURPHYWill he ask the Estates Commissioners if the person who is in possession of this farm is quite ready to dispose of it for a very moderate amount?
§ Mr. CHERRYI think I have already told the hon. Member that the Chief Secretary agrees with me that I do not consider it desirable that any Member of the Government should interfere with the Estates Commissioners in selection of the tenants or persons who occupy untenanted land.
§ Mr. MURPHYWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us who is to interfere with the Estates Commissioners if they will do nothing in a case like this?
§ Mr. CHERRYNobody is to interfere with them. They are to have the responsibility of carrying out the work them-selves.
Captain CRAIGWould it not be possible, Sir, to omit this objectionable word "grabber from these questions, in a case where a tenant has purchased a farm in good faith and according to law? Where he has so acted should he be allowed to be dubbed in this House with the description of "grabber "?
§ Mr. SPEAKERCan the hon. and gallant Member suggest any name?