HC Deb 30 March 1911 vol 23 cc1501-2
Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have received memorials from the tenants on the estates of Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Sanders Knox-Gore, Lord Harlech, Mr. Wade Thomson, Mr. George O'Malley Ormsby, Mr. Charles Boyd, senior, and Rev. J. Nicholson, all situated in the parish of Castleconnor, county Sligo; and if he will state what steps the Board have taken to acquire those estates, and when the lands will be available for the settlement of congestion in this district?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have received memorials from the tenants on the estates referred to, and communicated with the owners with a view to opening negotiations for sale through the Board. The estates of Charles Boyd, Lord Harlech, and Mrs. Sanders Knox-Gore have been offered to the Board, and will be inspected as soon as practicable. It is understood that the maps and other documents necessary to enable an inspection to be made are being prepared in the case of Mrs. Perry Knox-Gore. The remaining three estates referred to have not yet been offered to the Board.

Mr. FLAVIN

asked if the Congested Districts Board have arranged any scheme other than the parish committees by which small farmers, whose valuation is over £7, can either get a free grant or a loan at a low rate of interest to enable tenants to improve and enlarge their dwelling-houses and out-offices; and, if so, whether he can state on what terms the loan or free grants can be made?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have approved of a scheme, outside of the parish committee scheme, under which tenants on estates purchased by the Board can get free grants and loans in connection with the improvement and enlargement of their dwelling-houses and out-offices. The terms and conditions on which such assistance is given are set out in a poster, a copy of which I will forward to the hon. Member.

Mr. FLAVIN

asked if the Congested Districts Board have universal compulsory power, under the Land Purchase Act of 1909, in the congested counties, to acquire any estate for the purpose of resale to the tenants where the landlord or his representative has refused to sell the estate voluntarily, either to the tenants direct or to the Congested Districts Board?

Mr. BIRRELL

If the hon. Member will refer to Section 60 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, he will, I think, agree that the Congested Districts Board have power, if they think fit, to take steps for compulsory purchase in the cases referred to in the question.

Mr. FLAVIN

I take it the Congested Districts Board can exercise compulsory powers on any estate no matter what size.