Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state what is the present condition as to the sale of the Neptune-Blood estate, county Clare; and if he will call the attention of the Congested Districts Board to the desirability of dealing with this property as soon as possible?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)A portion of this estate has already been sold to the tenants through the Estates Commissioners. The unsold portion was recently offered to the Congested Districts Board, and they will arrange for an inspector to visit the lands as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the date on which the agent of the M'Gillicuddy Eager estate, Glencar, county Kerry, sent his last communication to the Congested Districts Board with regard to the sale of the estate; and whether any steps have since been taken to bring about a sale?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not received any communication from the agent of the estate referred to. The estate is pending before the Estates Commissioners for sale direct to the tenants, but it has not yet been reached in order of priority. The Commissioners have not had any correspondence with the agent.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary if he can state the date on which the Congested Districts Board requested to be furnished with the rental and maps of the Knight of Kerry's estate in Valentia, county Kerry; and whether, in view of the expressed willingness of Trinity College to negotiate for the sale of its property in the island, renewed steps will be taken to complete the purchase of the entire island?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board asked for the maps and rentals of the Knight of Kerry's Estate in Valentia on the 17th August, 1910, but they have not yet been received. The Board would be glad to complete the purchase of the entire of Valentia Island at the same time. They are making inquiries which will occupy some time.
§ Mr. THOMAS F. SMYTHasked when the Congested Districts Board intend putting the compulsory clauses of the Land Act of 1909 into operation in the county Leitrim, as there are several congested estates, particularly in South Leitrim, where the landlords are refusing to sell to their tenants at reasonable purchase prices?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are making further efforts to bring about voluntary sales in county Leitrim, particularly South Leitrim, pending the result of which proceedings for initiating compulsory purchase will not be taken.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked whether any, and what, steps have been taken to purchase eighty-nine holdings with bog on the Aylmer estate, county Kildare; and whether it is intended to make any offers for untenanted land in the vicinity of the same with a view to the relief of congestion in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe eighty-nine holdings and bog referred to were included in the proceedings instituted for the sale of this estate direct to the tenants under Section 1 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The owner has consented to the sale of the holdings and bog to the Commissioners, who have made a formal offer for their purchase, which is at present before the vendor. The Commissioners cannot at present make any further statement on the subject.
§ Mr. CONDONasked whether the sale of the estate of the Earl of Clonmel, in the 2432 county Tipperary, has been completed and the land vested in the tenants; if only in some cases, how many cases are outstanding; whether the vendor has sold to the Commissioners any untenanted land or recently untenanted land; and whether any advance has been made or sanctioned by the Commissioners in respect of any holding in which a new tenancy was created since 1901; and, if so, what are the particulars?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe holdings on the estate referred to have been vested in the purchasing tenants with the exception of four holdings which it is expected will be vested shortly, and four holdings for the purchase of which the Estates Commissioners were not prepared to sanction the advances applied for. There is no untenanted land included in this estate, and no tenancies created since 1901.
§ Mr. CONDONasked the Chief Secretary whether the sale of the estate of Herbert D. Littlewood Clarke, in the county of Tipperary, has been completed; if not, when are the advances likely to be made; whether the vendor has sold to the Commissioners any untenanted land or offered such for sale; whether the vendor is seeking to repurchase any land in his possession, and, if so, how much and at what price; whether the Commissioners have sanctioned such repurchase; if not, whether, before doing so, they will consider the need for the enlargement of many small holdings on the estate; whether an inspection of the untenanted land has taken place; and whether, as it is understood that the vendor is willing to sell the untenanted lands to the Commissioners, they will without further delay make him an offer for the same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLProceedings for the sale of this estate direct to the tenants are pending before the Estates Commissioners. The estate has not been reached in order of priority, and having regard to the prior claims of other estates, the Commissioners cannot at present say when it will be so reached. The owner has not included any untenanted land in the estate pending before the Commissioners either for sale to the Commissioners, or for repurchase under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. If he institutes formal proceedings for the sale to the Commissioners of any untenanted land in his possession the question of its acquisition will be considered.
§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a consider- 2433 able period of time has elapsed since the purchase agreements were signed by Mr. Francis Boxwell, Butlerstown Castle, and his tenants; and if he can state approximately at what time the tenants will receive their vesting orders?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe agreements for the purchase by the tenants of their holdings on this estate were lodged in February, 1908, and, having regard to the claims of other estates in priority to it, the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when its turn will be reached.
§ Mr. LONSDALECannot the right hon. Gentleman give an approximate date?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI cannot.