§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked what balance remains of the reserve fund in aid of evicted tenants in Ireland; and whether, in view of the number of meritorious 2089 claims rejected in consequence of some technical objection in reference to the age or want of resources of the applicants, or to the acceptance of some nominal sum by way of compensation, for their eviction, the Lord Lieutenant will issue new regulations empowering the Estates Commissioners to grant gratuities in equitable cases of such a character?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe reserve fund to which the hon. Member refers is exhausted, and the money required by the Estates Commissioners' for the equipment of holdings of reinstated evicted tenants and for the benefit and improvement of estates is now, under the Irish Land Act, 1909, paid out of moneys provided by Parliament in the Vote for the Land Commission. There is no power under the Land Purchase Acts to grant monetary compensation to evicted tenants in lieu of reinstatement.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENIn view of the fact that the cost of the Land Commission has been raised to £544,000 a year, has the right hon. Gentleman no word of hope at all for these poor old broken down people?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYOf course the hon. Gentleman will gather from what I have said that there is power to grant money, but it must be provided by Parliament on the Vote for the Land Commission.