§ Mr. KELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the inspectors of the Estates Commissioners are empowered to make to landlords offers for the purchase of their lands; if so, whether the acceptance of an offer so made is binding on the Estates Commissioners; whether negotiations are still in progress for the purchase by the Estates Commissioners of part of the lands of Magherahaan, containing about 120 acres statute, and part of the lands of Yortnesk, containing sixty-seven acres three roods fourteen perches statute, both in the parish of Raphoe, barony of Raphoe North, county Donegal; whether he is aware that the purchase price of these lands and the question of the bonus was agreed upon between the inspector and the owner nearly two years ago, and that the owner is still willing to sell; whether, in considering this sale, the Commissioners will deal with the question of acquiring at the same time an evicted farm, being also part of the lands of Magherahaan, of which the tenant has not yet been dispossessed, with a view to reinstating the tenant; and, if negotiations have been broken off, can he state the reasons?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that their inspectors are not empowered to make offers to landlords for their estates. In the case referred to in the question the Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made, and the inspector told the owner what advance he was prepared to recommend. The owner was willing to accept the price provided he got a 12 per cent. bonus, but the Judicial Commissioner decided that only a 3 per cent. bonus was payable. In the circumstances the owner did not institute formal proceedings for sale. If he does so now the Commissioners will consider the matters referred to in the concluding portion of the question.