§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the total amount of the purchase money and the number of years' purchase required by Mr. Pierce Gun Mahony from Mr. Richard J. Walsh, of Cordal, county Kerry, in the first instance; and what was the purchase money and the number of years' purchase that Mr. Howard, the Estates Commissioners' inspector, reported would be a fair price?
§ Mr. CHERRYI have nothing to add to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member on the list instant.
§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman refuse to give an answer as to what amount of purchase money the laud-owner wanted?
§ Mr. CHERRYI have already given that information. My answer of 1st September mentioned the exact amount. I gave the number of years' purchase.
§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can ascertain the name of the inspector of the Estates Commissioners who reported on the Gun Mahony estate at Cordal, county Kerry, in the first instance; and whether, having regard to the untruthful statements made by him against Mr. Richard J. Walsh and other tenants, any action has been taken in the matter?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate was only visited by one inspector. The official who preceded him was a surveyor who was sent in accordance with the settled procedure to check the boundaries of the lands. The Commissioners are not aware of any statements having been made of the kind referred to in the question.
§ Mr. MURPHYWill the right hon. Gentleman give me the name of the official of the Estates Commissioners who visited the land in the first instance?
§ Mr CHERRYNo, Sir; I do not think it is desirable to give the names of the officals the Estates Commissioners send down 2145 as delegates. If their reports are adopted, the Estates Commissioners, and not the inspectors, are responsible.
§ Mr. J. C. LARDNERAm I right in understanding that this official is a surveyor, and that the Estates Commissioners decline to give the name of the person who surveyed the landowner's estate for the purpose of sale?
§ Mr. CHERRYIt is very much better not to mention the names of subordinates. The Estates Commissioners are responsible. Everything done is done by them; and, if they send down their servants, I do not think it fair that the name of a particular servant should be mentioned in this House.
§ Mr. LARDNERDo you object to giving the name of the skilled professional surveyor who surveyed the landowner's estate for the purpose of sale?
§ Mr. CHERRYIf you give the name of one surveyor or one official, you will have to give the names of all.
§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYHaving regard to the fact that this surveyor made statements about the tenants which were untrue, according to the sworn evidence of the district inspector of police and according to the Estate Commissioners' second inspector, does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to make any inquiry, or is this surveyor to continue in the service of the Estates Commissioners?
§ Mr. CHERRYI do not know his name, and I do not propose to inquire. Whatever he did has been adopted by the Estates Commissioners, and it is their responsibility.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEMay I ask whether there is any—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman has given the same answer three times. If the hon. Member wants to ask anything further, I think he had better put it down.