HC Deb 29 May 1913 vol 53 cc302-4
10. Mr. BOLAND

asked what steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to complete the purchase of the Williams estate, at Cappanagroun, near Waterville, since last July, when the owner refused to accept their offer; and whether, in view of the fact that the average valuation of the holdings is under £7and that the tenants are under notice to pay a year's rent before 1st June, the right hon. Gentleman will see that the completion of the purchase is made a matter of urgency?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the owner regarding this property since July last, but no agreement for purchase has so far been arrived at.

12. Captain CRAIG

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have served a notice of ejectment on Robert Bell, of Knocklaur, Bodyke, county Clare, in direct conflict with the pledge given by the Board to Colonel O'Callaghan Westropp that Robert Bell would be retained in his old position on the estate; and will he say if this man is being ejected for any fault, or for what other reason?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Congested Districts Board inform me that a summons for possession has been issued against Robert Bell, but the Board gave no pledge that Bell would be employed by them for any longer time than they required his services. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the Noble Lord the Member for Maidstone on the 1st instant.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man Bell has served the State fifteen years faithfully, has six children, is a most respectable person, and the Board have so far given no reason for his ejectment; and may I ask whether it would be possible to hold over the ejectment of this respectable person until further inquiries are made by the Chief Secretary?

Mr. RUSSELL

I will bring what the hon. and gallant Gentleman says under the notice of the Congested Districts Board, and if he proposes to ask any further questions perhaps he will give notice.

Captain CRAIG

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Board not to eject this man until a full report has been obtained by the Chief Secretary in person?

Mr. RUSSELL

I will bring the whole matter under the notice of the Congested Districts Board, and will give the hon. and gallant Gentleman any information I obtain.

15. Mr. HAVILAND-BURKE

asked why the untenanted lands of Ballinoulart, near Brackna, North King's County, now in course of purchase by the Estates Commissioners, are still let on the eleven months' grazing system; whether the Estates Commissioners will refuse their further sanction to an individual grazing system that has so long caused trouble in this congested district and has now provoked disorder; and whether, if it is necessary for the Estates Commissioners to sanction the letting of these lands for grazing pending final redistribution and settlement, they will only let them as temporary common grazing land for bonâ fide tenants on the estate?

Mr. RUSSELL

As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners are in communication with the owner with a view to having a preliminary inspection made to estimate the price which they would advance for the lands if sold to them under the Land Purchase Acts. Having regard to the statutory conditions under which the Commissioners act, it will not be possible for them to acquire the lands for some time, and meanwhile it is for the owner to make such arrangements as he may consider proper for the user of the lands. The Commissioners have no power or intention to interfere with such arrangements on his part.

14. Mr. KELLY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that it is five years since agreements were signed for the sale of the Burt and Inch estate of Lord Templemore, county Donegal; and whether it is in the power of the Commissioners to wind up the sale of the estate in a reasonable time from now, so that the tenants' holdings may be vested without further delay?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Estates Commissioners have no power to deal with these estates until they are reached in their order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and, having regard to the claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when they will be reached.