HC Deb 09 March 1911 vol 22 cc1380-1
Mr. DUFFY

asked whether Mrs. Michael Monaghan, of Glones, Athenry, sent in an originating request to the Estates Commissioners in reference to certain lands which she is willing to part with in the vicinity of Glones; whether the district is one which suffers largely from small marshy holdings; and whether the Chief Secretary "will communicate with the Estates Commissioners and point out to them the advisability of acquiring those lands in the interest of the congests?

Mr. BIRRELL

An originating request has not been lodged for the sale of these lands to the Estates Commissioners. The owner expressed her willingness to sell portion of the lands to the Commissioners, who after inspection decided not to make an offer. Mrs. Monaghan has recently informed the Commissioners that she is willing to sell the property, and her letter is being referred to the Congested Districts Board as the lands are situate in a congested districts county.

Mr. LUNDON

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have made any move with a view to the purchase of the untenanted lands on the estate of Lord Clarina, at Carrig East and Carrig West; whether Lord Clarina is striving to have the land and the price of it by getting Lady Clarina made tenant under the Land Act; if so, will steps be taken to prevent such a thing occurring, as there are numerous smallholders, labourers, and the sons of evicted tenants in the locality; are the Estates Commissioners aware that this land is grazed for the most part by eleven months' graziers; and that it is two miles away from the residence of the landlord, and cannot by any means be classed as demesne land?

Mr. BIRRELL

The owner has included in the estate for sale under the Irish Land Act, 1903, the lands referred to and has requested that they be resold to him under the provisions of Section 3 of that Act. The matter will be dealt with in order of priority.

Mr. LUNDON

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received any communication from Mr. Stafford Delmege offering the untenanted land on his estate at Raheen, Knocklong, county Limerick, for sale; if so, how many acres does he intend to sell to them; and whether the land has been inspected with a view to its purchase?

Mr. BIRRELL

The owner has included some forty-nine acres of untenanted land on the estate at present pending for sale under the Land Purchase Acts. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority, and it has not been inspected.

Mr. NEWMAN

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a day to allow the House to discuss the present position of land purchase in Ireland; and whether, in the event of the answer being in the negative, he can name a date for the introduction of this year's Irish Estimates?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. At the moment I cannot yet say at what date it will be convenient to take the Irish Estimates.