§ 47 and 48. Mr. HORNERasked the Prime Minister (1) whether, if a confer- 280 ence is held of representatives of landlords and tenants in Ireland to discuss the terms of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill and an agreement come to upon its terms, he will give facilities for passing it as an agreed measure at the earliest possible date after such agreement; and (2) whether, having regard to the importance of the land purchase question in Ireland, he will convene a conference of representatives of the landlords, the tenants, and the Treasury, with a view to having the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill passed as an agreed measure; and, if so, will he have steps taken as soon as possible to bring these representatives together?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs the proposals of the Government, financial and otherwise, are to be found in the Land Bill, a print of which will be in the hands of Members in a few days, no useful purpose would be served by my convening a conference of the representatives of Irish landlords and tenants. If such representatives, during the recess, can agree among themselves, such agreement would probably further the passage of the measure into law next Session.
§ Mr. HEWINSHave there already been any negotiations between the Irish Members and the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member had better ask the Chief Secretary. As far as I know, none.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the cause of the delay in printing the Bill? Is there any precedent for this?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know. The hon. Member should ask the Chief Secretary.
§ 60. Mr. FFRENCHasked if the county Wexford estate of Boyd, Neale, C. H. Burchell, and others has yet been inspected; and, if not, will the Estates Commissioners fix a date for its inspection?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe lands have been visited by a surveyor to check the boundaries and will, it is anticipated, be inspected at an early date for the purpose of estimating the price which the Estates Commissioners might offer for them. They are not at present in a position to fix a date for such inspection.
§ 61. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the cause of the delay in granting to Timothy Sullivan, of 281 Granardkille, a purchasing tenant on the Hamilton estate, a sum of money promised him by inspectors of the Estates Commissioners for the purpose of building a proper dwelling-house and out offices on his farm; and whether, in view of the fact that the sale is now four or five years completed, will the loan promised be advanced to enable him to make the farm economic?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Grant which the Estates Commissioners promised to make to assist Sullivan in erecting buildings on the holding will, in accordance with their practice, be paid in instalments as the work progresses. When the lands were last visited by one of the inspectors, Sullivan could not show any work done for which portion of the Grant should be paid to him. If he has since done any such work he should notify the inspector, and if the work is not done within a reasonable time the Grant, will be withdrawn.
§ 62. Mr. GODFREY COLLINSasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total number of acres sold under the Land Purchase Acts prior to 1903, the 1903 Act, and the 1909 Act; and the average price paid per acre in each case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWith the hon. Member's permission I will publish with to-night's Votes a statement in reply to this question.
§ 63. Mr. DUFFYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial signed by a number of representative men recommending Patrick Callanan, Killeenan, Craughwell, county Gal-way, to their best consideration for a holding was received about six weeks ago; and will he say if the matter of the memorial is engaging the attention of the Estates Commissioners?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. The matter will be considered if, and when, the Estates Commissioners acquire the property.
§ 64. Mr. DUFFYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the tenants on the estate of Concannon and St. George, Kilcolgan, county Galway, have been served with receivable orders demanding arrears of rent alleged to be due prior to the Congested Districts Board taking over the estate; and will he explain why a demand is made for the arrears and who is entitled to receive them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe offer of the Congested Districts Board for this estate was accepted on the 22nd May last, and on the 19th July demands were issued by the Board to the tenants for the half-year's rent payable in May, and a year's rent in a few cases where tenants did not pay on the last November collection. Until the Board become vested owners of the estate they are not in a position to cancel any arrears of rent. The Board are entitled to all arrears under the terms of their offer as accepted, and such arrears will be dealt with in accordance with the usual practice when the estate becomes vested in them.
§ 65. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board has yet taken any steps to acquire the Parke's grazing ranch, Drummons, Glencar, county Leitrim; and whether, having regard to the fact that the congested tenants in the district memoralised the Board in reference to this ranch, it being the only waste land in the parish, and that the tenant who is now in possession as an eleven months' tenant expressed in writing his willingness to give over the farm for the relief of congestion, the Board will purchase it for that purpose?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs the Congested Districts Board have not acquired the estate of Colonel Parke they are not prepared to negotiate for the purchase of the tenancy interest referred to.