§ 9. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that Lord Castle-town and his representatives, taking advantage of the political truce existing during the War, have let on twenty-year leases to persons having already large holdings a considerable portion of untenanted land on the Castletown estate, Grantstown, Queen's County, which the owner publicly declared would be divided? amongst his tenants and the uneconomic holders on his property if ever an opportunity arose; if he is aware that this course has been adopted in furtherance of a campaign for a new ascendancy plantation on the untenanted lands of Ireland; if he is aware that numbers of the applicants on the estate who are seeking allotments of this untenanted land have their sons or brothers serving in the trenches in Flanders; and if the Government intend taking any steps to void these leases and protect the inherent and equitable rights of those applicants to an allotment of the untenanted lands while they are away risking their lives in defence of the Empire?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that leases for a term of years of lands comprised in Lord Castletown's demesne have been granted to certain persons who till lately occupied them on eleven months' system, but I have no information as regards the other matters set forth in the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. DELANYIs he aware that a demand has been made for these lands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think the demand has been made.
§ Mr. MEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that of the numbers of the applicants for this untenanted land twenty or twenty-five are fighting in Flanders in defence of the Empire?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am very glad to hear that is so. I have no doubt it is.