HC Deb 31 March 1910 vol 15 cc1445-6
Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether it was the intention of the Congested Districts Board to acquire for the purpose of sub-division among evicted tenants and other suitable applicants in the locality the grazing farm on the estate of Captain Bryan Cooper, M.P., situated in the townland of Ardnisbrack, county Sligo; and whether he was aware of the fact that the people in the congested holdings in the locality have been endeavouring for three years to secure this farm for sub-division?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board do not propose to acquire this farm for the purpose mentioned. The acquisition of land for evicted tenants is not one of their duties.

Mr. O'DOWD

May I ask whether on this portion of the estate there is un-tenanted land and the tenants are suffering from congestion, and whether there is a large grazing farm which could be utilised for the reinstatement of evicted tenants or the enlargement of small holdings? Could the right hon. Gentleman get the Estates Commissioners to move in the matter?

Mr. BIRRELL

The question is with reference to the Congested Districts Board, not the Estates Commissioners, or anything in connection with the Evicted Tenants Act. I can only give the answer already given.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for South Dublin has already divided the whole of the grazing land outside the demesne and home farm amongst the farmers in the district?

Mr. BIRRELL

Yes, I believe that is undoubtedly the case as stated by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. SCANLAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the grazing farm mentioned in the question is still in the ownership of the hon. Member for South Dublin?

Mr. BIRRELL

Well, the hon. Member for South Dublin has written me a letter in which he says that from the information in the question he cannot identify the farm referred to, but he presumes it is a farm on the demesne or connected with the home farm. He adds, "I have distributed all the rest of the grazing land in the neighbourhood amongst the late tenants."

Mr. O'DOWD

Is it not a fact that the grazing ranch is now in the hands of a middleman who proposes to sell it to strangers?

Mr. BIRRELL

The hon. Member can hardly expect me to give that information.