HC Deb 16 May 1912 vol 38 cc1260-2
Mr. O'MALLEY

asked whether the Berridge estate, Connemara, has yet been purchased by the Congested Districts Board; and whether, in view of the fact that the tenants throughout Connemara have not benefited by the Land Act of 1903, nor yet by the Land Act of 1009, which was passed with the special object of bringing about speedily the purchase of estates in the congested districts, and in view of the uneconomic character of the holdings on the Berridge and other properties in Connemara for which the tenants have been compelled to pay for generations past so-called fair rents which are obtained not from the holdings but from relatives in America and elsewhere, he will urge upon the Congested Districts Board the necessity of purchasing these estates without further avoidable delay?

Mr. BIRRELL

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 25th March to which I have nothing at present to add.

Mr. MOORE

. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is a fact that the Congested Districts Board are most desirous not to acquire this estate, and have refused to do so continuously, but at the last moment now say they will purchase it at a price which they know the owner must refuse, only fourteen years' purchase?

Mr. BIRRELL

Oh, no. The Congested Districts Board are willing to acquire the estate if they can agree with the owner as to price.

Mr. MOORE

Does it suggest their willingness to purchase when they offer an impossible price in order to put the onus of refusal upon the owner?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, Sir; nothing of the kind. The Congested Districts Board have to consider in buying an estate what they will do with it when they have bought it.

Mr. MOORE

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for this estate they offered only fourteen years' purchase?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am in communication with the owner of the property, and I am acquainted with the position of affairs, and I repeat no pressure whatever has been exercised in this matter.

Mr. MOORE

That is not an answer to my question.

Mr. O'MALLEY

I beg to give notice that on the Adjournment on Wednesday I shall call attention to the position of land purchase in Connemara.

Mr. NEWMAN

asked whether the Wills Sandford estate, including demesne lands and the town of Castlerea, has been acquired by the Congested Districts Board; if so, whether he can give the total price at which the property has been acquired, and by whom, out of what funds, and at what percentage of interest and sinking fund has the money been advanced to the Board?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have purchased this estate and are arrangisg for its resale. At the present stage it would not be desirable in the public interest to state the amounts paid for the different portions of the estate.

Mr. NEWMAN

asked whether any member of the Congested Districts Board has applied for and obtained from the Board any portion of land on the Wills Sandford estate, and, if so, whether he will state the acreage so granted and the consideration, if any, paid by the allottee; and whether the Board has received any petition from residents in the neighbourhood against such proposed grant of land being carried through?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am informed that the Congested Districts Board have arranged with the holders of certain farms in the vicinity of Castlerea (including the hon. Member for South Mayo who is a member of the Board), to surrender their farms which are required for the enlargement of uneconomic holdings in the immediate neighbourhood. In consideration of such surrender the Board have allotted new holdings on the Wills Sandford estate to the persons who are surrendering the land required for the operations of the Board. The petition referred to has been received by the Board, and will be considered by them at their next meeting on the 21st instant.

Mr. NEWMAN

Is it not a fact that this is desmesne land, and is only used for grazing cattle?

Mr. BIRRELL

The whole matter will be before the Congested Districts Board next Tuesday, and I shall be present.

Mr. NEWMAN

He will simply be grazier.

Mr. MOORE

Does it lead to public confidence in the Congested Districts. Board when they are letting a valuable farm—

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order. That is a matter for argument.