§ 52 and 53. Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the fact that a measure to facilitate the progress and secure the completion of land purchase in Ireland was mentioned in the Speech from the Throne as the first measure of new legislation to be undertaken during the present Session, he can say whether it is still the intention of the Government to introduce and carry through all its stages a Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill before the Prorogation of Parliament; and (2) whether he is aware that during his temporary absence from the House during last Session a most solemn pledge and assurance that whatever might be the outcome of the Government of Ireland Bill the Government had determined at the earliest possible moment to complete the policy of land purchase in Ireland was made on his behalf; and whether such assurance still represents the intentions of the Government?
§ 56. Mr. RONALD M'NEILLasked the Prime Minister whether the Government still adhere to the intention to introduce an Irish Land Purchase Bill during the present Session?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA Bill will be introduced this Session. Until we see with what reception it meets, it is not possible to make a further statement.
§ 76. Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when the existing system of the Congested Districts Board taking in grazing stock on the land which they have acquired will end, and why such lands are not divided amongst the holders of uneconomic farms?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe system of taking in grazing stock on untenanted land in the occupation of the Congested Districts Board is a temporary expedient which will come to an end as soon as the Board can deal finally with such lands for the relief of congestion. They are making large purchases and the distribution of the un- 1258 tenanted lands necessarily takes some time.
§ 124. Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the offer made by the Congested Districts Board for the Fuller estate, near Cahirciveen, has been accepted, can he state when operations will be commenced and improvements carried out?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to has not yet been vested in the Congested Districts Board, and they cannot carry out improvement works until they are the legal owners.
§ 78. Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Muckross property was sold to a number of the tenants several years ago, but about sixteen tenants in Tonries were excluded; and whether, in view of the fact that the unsold portion of the estate has changed hands three times in the course of recent years and these excluded tenants, in spite of repeated applications, have not been allowed to purchase their holdings, steps will now be taken by the Congested Districs Boards to negotiate for the purchase of these holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that a number of holdings on the Herbert estate were purchased by the tenants under the Land Purchase Acts prior to that of 1903. It is understood that Lord Ardilaun purchased the mansion house and demesne at Muckross, including the unsold holdings, and that he has recently sold the lands and mansion house to a Mr. Vincent. These outstanding holdings are not the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, 1903 and 1909, and the, Congested Districts Board have no information regarding them.
§ 81. Mr. O'DOWDasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet purchased the Morrow estate, situate in the townland of Ardnisbrack, Ballintogher West Division, and union of Sligo; whether an offer has been made to Mr. Morrow, the landlord, who is in reality only a middleman; whether such offer has been accepted; and, if not, whether immediate steps will be taken for the acquirement of this estate, which contains a large grazing farm suitable for the enlargement of the small cottier holdings surrounding it?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not purchased this property. An offer for purchase was made in November last to Mr. Morrow, which was not accepted. The Board do not at present propose to take steps to acquire the property compulsorily.
§ 85. Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the reasons for the manner in which the Land Act of 1909 is being put into operation in West Clare; whether he is aware that, in consequence of delays in dealing with estates, emigration is proceeding rapidly and industry is being retarded, while disappointment prevails; and whether the Congested Districts Board will put a little more energy into their work in West Clare?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board inform me that the maps and necessary documents have been lodged in the case of fifty-one estates in West Clare. Twenty-four estates have been purchased, and offers for three have recently been approved, and will soon be issued, and in nine other cases offers have been issued and negotiations are proceeding. In the case of nine estates the Board have not yet considered their valuers' reports; in three cases the Board decided not to make an offer, and in three other cases the Board's offers have been refused. It was hardly possible for the Board to proceed more energetically.
§ 86. Mr. LYNCHasked what is the condition of affairs with respect to the Reeves estate, Killimer, West Clare; and whether steps will now be taken to effect a final settlement?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe whole of this estate has been disposed of, except the tenanted portions of Burrane Upper and Lower, which are being held over pending the resumption of a farm in the neighbourhood.