§ Mr. CONDONasked the Chief Secretary whether the landlord had received the purchase price for the Hall estate, Knock-brack, Athenry; and, if so, whether he could state why the tenants were still 506 called upon to pay 3½ per cent, interest, the agreements having been signed in May, 1905?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners and the purchase money has been advanced to the owner. The Commissioners rearranged the holdings, divided the un-tenanted land, and spent over £1,100 on improvements, and the tenants signed undertakings to purchase their holdings as rearranged and to pay interest in lieu of rent at 3½ per cent, until the lands were vested in them, which could not be done until the improvements had been completed. The improvements have now been made and the lands will shortly be vested in the tenants. The Commissioners know nothing of the agreements referred to in the concluding portion of the question.