§ 4. Mr. DELANYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether in the sale of the estate of Lord Holmpatrick, Coolagh, Clonaslee, Queen's County, to the tenants, which took place about two years ago, it was stipulated that 100 acres of land on the landlord's hands was to be divided between four small tenants on the property; whether an inspector from the Estates Commissioners, named Beckett, who visited the lands recently, stated that those 100 acres were going to be given to the herd heretofore employed by the landlord; and can he say what course the Commissioners propose to adopt in the case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners, but the property has not yet been acquired by them. They are not aware of any such stipulation as that referred to in the question or of the statement attributed to their inspector. The Commissioners have not come to any decision as to the allotment of the untenanted land which appears to comprise mainly cutaway bog, but when they are dealing with the property the circumstances of the occupiers of small holdings will be considered.
§ 17. Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether the Marquess of Sligo, in his offer to sell his estate, county Mayo, to the Congested Districts Board proposes to reserve any lands other than those comprising Westport demesne; and if so, can he specify such lands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are in negotiations with the Marquess of Sligo, regarding the purchase of his estate, and they are not in a position at present to give the information asked for.
§ 50. Mr. NORMAN CRAIGasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 1st July, in which he suggested that the system of land purchase in Ireland operated unduly in favour of the landowner and involved a burden on the taxpayer appropriate to be borne by the landowner; whether the view so expressed was the considered opinion of the Cabinet or a merely personal expression by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to remedy the suggested wrong?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand my right hon. Friend to have referred to the Irish legislation merely by way of illustrating the economic effects of a low rate of interest. The Government are considering, and will very shortly introduce legislation to deal with the difficulties which have arisen in connection with land purchase in Ireland.
§ 21. Mr. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Murphy estate at Castleplunkett, county Roscommon, has yet been acquired by the Congested Districts Board; and, if not, whether he can give an explanation of the delay in the negotiations connected with the sale of this estate, the acquisition of which is much needed by the occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have made an offer for the purchase of this estate and they are at present in correspondence with the owner regarding it. There has been no avoidable delay in the matter.