HC Deb 30 April 1914 vol 61 cc1840-1
7. Mr. DORIS

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has yet issued offers to Mr. Richard Gibbons, J.P., West-port, for the purchase of his estates near Westport and Castlebar, county Mayo; and, if so, whether they have been accepted or rejected by the owner?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Congested Districts Board in October last issued offers for the purchase of Mr. Gibbons' estates which were not accepted. They have decided to make revised offers which will be issued as soon as practicable.

8. Mr. DORIS

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued an offer to Lord Vaux for the purchase of his property near Newport, county Mayo; and, if so, whether the offer has been accepted or rejected?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they have issued an offer for the purchase of the Lord Vaux estate, and they have been informed by his solicitors that he is not prepared to accept it.

Lord A. THYNNE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what basis or valuation the price offered was arrived at.?

Mr. RUSSELL

I shall require notice of that question; it is not involved in the original question.

9. Mr. DORIS

asked when approximately the sale of the estate of the Marquess of Sligo to the Congested Districts Board will be completed?

Mr. RUSSELL

The principal questions between the Congested Districts Board and the Marquess of Sligo have been settled, but one or two other matters are still under discussion. Until the Board's offer is finally accepted the date cannot be indicated when the negotiations will be definitely concluded. The Board expect that the outstanding matters will soon be settled.

10. Mr. DORIS

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued offers for the estates of the Achill Mission, Mrs. Pike, and Mrs. M'Donnell, in Achill, county Mayo, or what stages the negotiations for purchase have reached?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they have not yet issued offers for the purchase of the estates referred to. They have decided to make an offer in the case of the Mrs. M'Donnell estate. The estates of the Achill Mission and Mrs. Pike have been valued and the question of making offers For their purchase will soon be considered by the Board.

11. Mr. DUFFY

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a farm of land at Attymon, county Galway, the property of Mr. J. J. Smyth, trustee for Miss Daly, was offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board over two years ago; is he aware that several small tenants are to be found in the neighbourhood of this farm; was the farm inspected; and will he ex plain the cause of the delay in taking up this farm to relieve congestion?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the estate referred to was offered for sale in December, 1912, but the Board have recently decided, on consideration of their inspector's report, that they will not make an offer for its purchase. They are aware that there are a few small tenants in the locality, and the Board have purchased grass lands in the neighbourhood which would be available for such relief of congestion as may be considered desirable.