§ 41. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked whether the Congested Districts Board have taken steps to purchase the Parkes estates at Newtown Manor and Glencar, county Leitrim; and, if not, whether they will take proceedings to acquire those waste lands for the relief of congestion in these districts, having regard to the fact that there are no other lands available for that purpose?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board cannot identify the estate referred to from the particulars given in the question.
§ 42. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that proceedings for recovery of old rents up to date have been taken against the tenants on the Marsham West and Peyton Ellis estates, Ballinaglera, county Leitrim; and whether the Congested Districts Board have taken decisive action to purchase these estates and save the tenants from ruin?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have no information regarding the proceedings for the recovery of rents referred to in the question. The estates mentioned have not so far been offered for sale through the Board, and they do not at present propose to take any steps to acquire them compulsorily.
§ 43. Mr. O'DOHERTYasked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay in having the sale and purchase of the Norman estate, Fahan, county Donegal, now pending five years, completed; and whether he will take steps to have the matter expedited and the holdings vested in the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants, purchase agreements having been lodged with the Estates Commissioners in 1908. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), but, having regard to its position on that register and the claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to state when it will be reached.