§ Mr. LYNCHasked whether the Congested Districts Board has under consideration the estate of Mr. Wilson Fitzgerald, Tarmon West, near Kilkee, West Clare, in respect to which an application was made by the tenants in March, 1910; and whether proceedings in connection with this estate will be expedited?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board received an application in March, 1910, from the tenant on the estate referred to. They were in communication with the agent before his death, but failed to obtain a definite reply as to whether the owner was willing to enter into negotiations 1912 for the sale of his estate. The Board will now communicate direct with the owner.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information as to what the Estates Commissioners contemplate doing with regard to the Westby estate, Kilballyowen, West Clare, the division of which is being awaited by the tenants who would be eligible under the provisions of the Land Act of 1909?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe purchase agreements in this case were not lodged until May, 1908, and, having regard to prior claims of other estates, it will not be reached for inspection for some time; meanwhile, the Estates Commissioners are not in a position to make any statement in the matter.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the delay in putting into operation the provisions of the Land Act of 1909 in West Clare; whether he is aware that the suspense is injurious to the whole agricultural community; whether he can state what estates in West Clare have been considered, and what has been the attitude of the landlords with regard to selling; and whether it is proposed to make the compulsory clauses operative in those cases where the delay has been caused by the landlords' unwillingness to sell?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo unnecessary delay has taken place in putting into operation the provisions of the Land Act of 1909 in the congested districts of county Clare. The Congested Districts Board have in a large number of cases invited owners to negotiate for sale. Eighteen estates have been offered for sale, including a few small ones transferred from the Estates Commissioners, and the Board have come to terms for the purchase of seven of these estates. The Board are in negotiation for other properties, and have decided to institute proceedings for compulsory purchase in some cases. As regards the proceedings of the Estates Commissioners, 124 purchase agreements in direct sales in the county, representing a purchase money of £33,440, have been lodged with them under the Act of 1909. They have also received memorials requesting them to acquire under the Act untenanted land on seven estates. In one case they are not prepared to take any action unless on the request of all parties. In another case it has been ascertained that the land is tenanted, and 1913 in two other cases they have decided to take no action. In the remaining cases the Commissioners have directed inquiries to be made.
§ Mr. LYNCHWould it be possible to give the names of those cases where it has been decided to put the compulsory clauses into force?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not think there would be any objection.
§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked whether, upon the Lahiffe estate, in the parish of New Inn, county Galway, there are only nine tenants, six of whose holdings range from £1 7s. to £4 10s. rental; and whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to refuse to sanction the sale unless 105 acres grazed by Messrs. Dooly and Treasey are acquired by the Commissioners for the purpose of enlarging the holdings of small tenants, it being the only grazing land upon the estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on the 13th instant to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member.