§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state when the offer of Mr. James W. Bond to sell to the Estates Commissioners, under Section 6 of The Land Purchase Act, 1903, the untenanted lands of Monedarragh or Strokestown, county Longford, will be accepted; and whether any steps have yet been taken or are about being taken for the division of these lands amongst deserving applicants in the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate consists partly of tenanted and partly of untenanted lands. The purchase agreements for the sale of the tenanted portion of the estate were not lodged until November, 1907. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but its turn has not yet come.
§ Mr. MOOREMay I ask if this gentleman is still boycotted, and if there are any deserving applicants in that locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI should be very sorry to doubt that there are. I do not know whether he is the gentleman or not.
§ Mr. FARRELLasked whether any proposal had been made to the Estates Commissioners for the sale, under Section 6 of The Land Purchase Act, 1903, of the lands of Coolcraff, or Coolcray, parish of Abbeylara and barony of Granard, county Longford; whether he is aware of the tract of untenanted land in this parish; and will he direct the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the desirability of acquiring the same immediately?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given in the question to identify these lands as pending for sale before them. If the hon. Member will give the owner's name further inquiry will be made.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Estates Commissioners that they should not expedite the purchase from parties where there has been boycotting?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThey know perfectly well what their duties are in this matter.
§ Mr. FARRELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the questions put to him by the hon Member from North Armagh and the hon. Member for Mid Armagh are totally wrong?
§ Mr. FARRELLasked whether any further steps had been taken to acquire the estate of the late John E. Thompson, of Clonfin, county Longford, who, so far back as a year and a half ago, made an agreement for sale with his tenants, including the handing over to the Estates Commissioners of some 500 acres of untenanted lands for sub-division amongst the tenants and other deserving persons; whether any inspection of the property had taken place or was ordered; and when some definite progress in the case may be expected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that proceedings for the sale of this estate were not instituted until October, 1908. It will be dealt with in order of priority. The Commissioners cannot yet say when its turn will come.