§ 11. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the tenants on the Methodist Home Mission estate (late George Lemon) at Caldragh, county Longford, may expect their vesting orders; and what is the cause of the delay?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Estates Commissioners are unable, from the particulars given, to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.
§ 12. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether the Estates Commissioners have yet entered into communication with Colonel Gregg, of Newtowncashel, for the purchase of the untenanted lands of Collum and Derrydanagh; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the owner has agreed to sell some sixty acres of Collum and some thirty-five acres of Derrydarragh.
§ Mr. FARRELLBefore the transaction is completed, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the tenants acquire an ex tension of their holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI will see whether that can be done.
§ 21. Mr. GINNELLasked how many tenanted estates in Westmeath have been sold and vested in the purchasers since 1903; how many in course of sale on which interest in lieu of rent is being paid; how many in other stages offered for sale; how many have not yet been offered for sale; what is the cause of this, seeing that all tenants desire to purchase; and when the Estates Commissioners propose to exercise their compulsory powers in Westmeath?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSince the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903, 3,334 holdings in county Westmeath, situate on 171 estates sold by owners direct to tenants, have been vested in the tenants. Purchase agreements have been signed and are pending in respect of 2,853 holdings in that county 1479 situate on 147 estates which are the subject of direct sale proceedings, and they will be dealt with as they are reached in order of priority. In addition, thirty-one estates in that county have been sold to, and vested in, the Estates Commissioners, and fifteen others are in course of being purchased by them. The Commissioners axe not in a position to state how many estates in that county have not been sold or offered for sale or the reasons why. The powers of the Commissioners to acquire lands compulsorily are limited to the acquisition of "congested estates" within the meaning of the Land Purchase Acts, and of untenanted land for the relief of congestion, and will be exercised in such cases as the Commissioners may consider necessary and desirable.