§ 72. Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked whether the effect of the late judgment of the Master of the Rolls is to defeat the proceedings of the Congested Districts Board to purchase the estate of the Marquess of Clanricarde under the compulsory powers of the Bill of 1909; and, whether, in view of the disappointment among the tenants after twenty-five years' waiting, be will consider the suggestion of the Vice-President of the Irish Department of 41 Agriculture and introduce a short Bill for the compulsory expropriation of Lord Clanricarde as a measure likely to be passed by general consent?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Board are proposing at once to lodge an appeal against the decision referred to in the question, and this is, I think, a better course of procedure than the one suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENEven if the right hon. Gentleman wins on appeal, is it not almost certain to go to the House of Lords?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not speaking about the uncertainty of the law, but it seems to me, after the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, it is better to appeal than to start with legislation when I have no real assurance of its success.
§ Mr. NEWMANWhy is Lord Clanricarde in a class by himself? Is he a very evil man?
Mr. BIRRIELLI think the hon. Gentleman might ask that question of some of my former predecessors in office.
§ 73. Mr. O'DOWDasked when the estate of Colonel W. M'Clintock, situate at Ardneskin, Riverstown, Union of Sligo, which was long ago offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and has recently been inspected by the Board's officials, will be taken over and the sale perfected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAn offer for the purchase of this estate was issued by the Congested Districts Board on the 13th instant. The Board are not in a position to give any further information in the matter at present.
§ 76. Mr. DORISasked whether the Congested Districts Board has yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate of Lord Norbury, in the parish of Turlough, county Mayo; and, if so, has it been accepted?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are about to make an offer for the purchase of this estate.
§ 77. Mr. DORISasked whether the offer of the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the congested estate of Sir C. M. Domville, near Balla, county Mayo, has yet been accepted; and, if not, what steps the Board intend taking to acquire the property?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe offer of the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of this estate has not yet been accepted. The Board do not at present propose to take any further steps in the matter.
§ 78. Mr. DORISasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet acquired the estate of the late Mr. W. E. Kelly, situate in Aglish and Ballyheane, county Mayo; and, if not, when they hope to do so?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are at present in negotiation with the owners for the purchase of this estate.
§ 79. Mr. DORISasked when the Congested Districts Board issued an offer for the purchase of the estate of H. Blake-Knox, county Mayo; has the offer been refused; and, having regard to the congested condition of the estate, the rents of some of the holdings being as low as 10s, the Board will endeavour to acquire it without further delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board issued an offer for the purchase of this estate on the 19th November last, and they are still in correspondence with the agent regarding it.