HC Deb 31 July 1911 vol 29 cc27-8
Mr. CRUMLEY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in January, 1906, the tenants on. the estate of Mrs. Hall, county Fermanagh, signed an agreement to purchase their holdings under the Land Act of 1903; can he state the cause of delay in completing the sale; and when the Land Commission will advance the purchase money?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

If the hon. Member refers to the estate of Mrs. Sarah J. Hall, county Fermanagh, the agreements signed by the tenants on this estate for the purchase of their holdings were not lodged with the Estates Commissioners until May, 1907. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but having regard to the prior claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.

Mr. O'DOHERTY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the estate of John. Scott, Esq., Hollymount, Cardonagh, county Donegal, have made application to the Congested Districts Board to purchase their holdings; whether the Congested Districts Board has refused to entertain the application; and, if so, why has this been done?

Mr. BIRRELL

Applications have been received by the Congested Districts Board from the tenants asking the Board to purchase the estate referred to. Up to the present the property has not been offered for sale to the Board.

Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that 13,000 acres of untenanted land have been acquired by the Estates Commissioners in the county of Westmeath; within what period has this land been acquired, and what was the total amount paid by the Estates Commissioners for its acquisition; and if he will state further, in respect of the same period, the amount advanced by the Commissioners to tenant occupiers in county Armagh for the purchase of their holdings?

Mr. BIRRELL

The area of the untenanted land acquired by the Estates Commissioners in county Westmeath since the passing of the Act of 1903 is 7,000 acres and the purchase money is £122,875. In the same period £1,405,193 has been advanced by the Commissioners to 6,579 tenants in the county Armagh for the purchase of their holdings.