§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Chief Secretary whether he can now state the result of the negotiations which have gone on for some considerable time past between the Congested Districts Board and Lord Clanricarde for the purchase of the Clanricarde estate; has an offer for the purchose of the estate been made, and with what result; and will he explain what steps the Congested Districts Board have taken to acquire compulsorily this estate in pursuance of repeated promises made to the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLA final offer has been made to the Marquess of Clanricarde and a requisition under Section 61 of the Irish Land Act of 1909 has been issued by the Congested Districts Board. The remaining steps will be taken by the Land Commission under the compulsory Clauses of the Act.
§ Mr. DUFFYCan the right hon. Gentleman indicate or give us any idea as to when those steps will be taken?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThey will be taken as quickly as can be.
§ Mr. DUFFYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an Act was passed in the year 1908 for the purpose of having the evicted tenants on this estate reinstated, and is it the fact that this landlord has frustrated its provisions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWill the hon. Member put his question down?