§ 6. Mr. GILHOOLYasked whether Mrs. Anne Trinder, a tenant on the estate of Messrs. Henry B. Leech and G. A. Leech, situate in Aughadown, county Cork, signed a purchase agreement on 24th March, 1906; whether her holding has since been vested in Mrs. Trinder; and, if not, can he state the cause of delay in doing so?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. An agreement, dated 24th March, 1906, signed by Mrs. Trinder was lodged with the Estates Commissioners on the 11th May, 1906. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash) and has not yet been reached in order of 496 priority, but the Commissioners anticipate-that it will be reached at an early date.
§ 7. Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction and unrest existing amongst the tenantry on the Clanricarde estate, county Galway, especially the evicted tenants who were turned out of their homes more than twenty-five years ago, because of the fact that the Congested Districts Board will not put into operation the Act of Parliament applicable to-their cases which has been on the Statute-Book for over three years, nor give an-approximate date in the future when they might get the benefit of this legislation; and whether he will make provision for the appointment to the Board of a Gahvay man, who will take an interest in those tenants and the county generally, which-is the second largest in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst the evicted tenants on the Clanricarde estate. As regards the purchase of the estate by the Congested Districts Board, it is not the fact that the Board have been unwilling to put into operation their compulsory powers under the Act of 1909. Final offers for the several estates of the Marquess of Clanricarde were issued on 29th January, 1912, and on the non-acceptance of these offers a requisition was issued to the Estates Commissioners, calling upon them to take steps to acquire the several estates in question. Proceedings have been suspended by an application on the part of the Marquess of Clanricarde for an injunction to restrain proceedings against him for the compulsory acquisition of his estates. The Board are in the position of suitors, who must wait their turn, and no useful conjecture can be made as to when the tenants on this estate are likely to obtain the benefits of the Land Purchase Acts. As regards the final paragraph of the question, there is no reason to suppose that the interests of county Galway are neglected by the Board as at present constituted.
46. Mr. WILLIAM O'BRTENasked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce that a Bill will be introduced next Session to give effect to the pledge to complete land purchase in Ireland at the earliest possible date?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Government are fully alive to the urgency of this matter, and it is their hope to introduce the necessary legislation next Session.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEDo I understand it is absolutely essential a new Land Bill should be framed in order to carry on land purchase?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir; not a new Land Bill. The financial provisions will require legislation, but I hope it will be a very short measure.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEDo I understand that the Government have found by experience that the operation of the Land Act of 1909 has been an absolute failure?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir; nothing of the kind.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman or the Prime Minister try to bring about some agreement between landlords and tenants, and between both parties in this House, so as to make a settlement of this question possible.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat is obviously a question which should be addressed to the Prime Minister.