§ Mr. O'SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether, in the interests of the peace of the district and of the ratepayers who are saddled with the cost of maintaining a staff of police, steps will be taken by the Estates Commissioners again to try and settle the dispute existing between Mr. Pierce Gun Mahony and one of his tenants in Kilmurry, Castleisland, county Kerry?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Estates Commissioners have already endeavoured to effect a settlement in this case, and do not think that they could with advantage again intervene unless at the request, of the parties concerned.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIs it not a fact that the landlord in this case requested the Estates Commissioners to arbitrate, and afterwards refused to accept the award?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know how that is. The Estates Commissioners did their best and cannot intervene again unless asked to do so.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLAs this case is causing considerable expense and annoyance in the district, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Commissioners to again intervene.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, I do not think I could do that.
§ Mr. O'SULLIVANasked what is the cause of the delay in inspecting the Deane estate, Brosna, county Kerry, for which purchase agreements were signed more than four years ago; and whether, as these tenants suffer considerable loss every year owing to this delay, steps will be taken to have the estate inspected at the earliest possible opportunity?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe majority of the purchase agreements in the case of this estate were lodged on 28th September, 1908, and the estate takes priority from that date. The Estates Commissioners are not in a position to say when the estate will be reached in its turn.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked whether about two years ago the trustees of the Keys estate, Crolly, county Donegal, agreed with the tenants for the sale of the estate, with all sporting rights, at sixteen years' purchase; and if he can say what is the present position of the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are unable to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.
§ Mr. FFRENCHasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a memorial, signed by the tenants on Duncormack, Weneytown, and Scotsland portions of the Boyd v. Neate Estate, has been forwarded to the office of the Estates Commissioners praying them to have these lands inspected at an early date; and, as there is a large area of untenanted land there, what steps they propose to take to utilise it for enlarging uneconomic holdings and relieving the present congestion in this locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe memorial has been received toy the Estates Commissioners and it will be duly considered.
§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer for the purchase of the Mitchel estate at Moylough, county Galway; and, if not, when may they be expected to do so?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board will have the estate referred to inspected as soon as practicable, having regard to the other engagements of their staff, and will then decide whether they will make an offer for purchase.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Estates Commissioners have made peremptory demands for over an additional month's interest beyond that for which they had contracted to pay under their purchase agreements on the tenants on the Logan Ellis estate, Donoughmore, county Cork; under what circumstances and by what right is this demand made; and whether this demand has been made in the case of any other estate in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Land Commission inform me that the additional month's interest referred to is that payable under Section 9 of the Irish Land Act, 1909.
Mr. HUGHLAWasked whether he can state the present position of the negotiations for the sale of the estate of Mrs. Johnstone, Church Hill, Gartan, county Donegal; and whether the grazing lands of Tullymore and Tullybeg are to be included in the transaction?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are in communication with Mrs. Johnstone regarding the sale of her estate in county Donegal. They cannot yet say what lands will be included in the purchase.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked what has been the cost to the Imperial Exchequer of the working of Land Purchase in Ireland since the Land Purchase Act of 1903, exclusive of the Land Purchase Aid Fund?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)It is not possible to separate the cost of the working of Land Purchase in Ireland since the Irish Land Act, 1903, from the other expenses of the Departments concerned, namely, the 1331 Irish Land Commission, the Congested Districts Board, the National Debt Commissioners, the Stationery Office, the Office of Public Works, and the Post Office-. The total net cost falling on the Land Commission Vote alone for the period 1st April, 1903, to 31st March, 1911, exclusive of the amount of the Land Purchase Aid Fund, is £1,276,159. The charges on the Consolidated Fund in the same period for salaries and pensions wore £111,923. Excess Stock charges falling on the Ireland Development Grant and payments from the Reserve Fund for improvements are not included in these figures.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENDo I understand that almost all the expenses which have come upon the Imperial Treasury in connection with Land Purchase in Ireland are expenses connected with the Land Commission, the cost of which has been increased by £400,000 a year? Are there any other sums coming directly out of the British taxpayers' pockets?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThere is the cost of administration, which is very considerable, owing to the number of Departments which are engaged in the operation of the Land Purchase Act.