§ 41. Mr. P. WHITEasked the acreage purchased in Ireland by the Congested Districts Board in each of the last three years?
Mr. SAMUELThe amount of land purchased by the Congested Districts Board during the years ended on 31st March, 1914, 1915, and 1916, was 209,419. acres, 466,372 acres, and 93,025 acres., respectively.
§ Sir E. CARSONHas any of this land purchased by the Congested Districts Board been reserved for disabled and wounded soldiers, or has it all been given away to men who have refused to enlist?
§ 42. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that the dispute between the Congested Districts Board and Mr. O'Connor, of Turbrin, has gone on for five years and that Mr. O'Connor positively feels that he has been wronged, he will see that the whole matter is submitted to some independent tribunal before this man and his family are ruined?
Mr. SAMUELThe circumstances of Mr. Connor's case were fully considered by the Congested Districts Board, and were also the subject of investigation before the County Court Judge and Judge of Assize. I understand that Connor effected a settlement with the Board on Thursday last.
§ 43. Mr. O'DONNELLasked what steps the Irish Land Commission take, when an estate is handed over to them from the Congested Districts Board, to ascertain that prices are not too high; and whether they will be asked to make special inquiries in all cases where tenants have been, evicted by the Board and forced to sign purchase agreements at prices which otherwise they would not agree to pay?
Mr. SAMUELThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension in stating that estates purchased by the Congested Districts Board are handed over to the Land Commission. Where the Board have purchased an estate and have completed their arrangements for its resale, purchase agreements signed by the Board and by the purchasers at the prices mentioned therein are lodged in the Land Commission, and where not coming within 2083 Section 80 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, the advances sanctioned are those which the Commissioners consider after inspection to be secured on the lands. The Commissioners are not aware of any such cases as those referred to in the concluding part of the question.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIs it a fact that a different procedure is adopted by the Congested Districts Board and that no security is required by them that the land is value for the money paid for it; and, further, if these men fail afterwards, how are the ratepayers going to be protected?