§ 17. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have at present any land on hand for evicted tenants; and, if so, will they take immediate steps to provide Mr. Malone, Dingle, county Kerry, with a farm?
§ 19. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that 350 acres of the lands of Bawn, in the barony of Moydow and county of Long-ford, have been recently seized by the Department of Agriculture for non-compliance with the Regulations for food production in Ireland under the Defence of the Realm Act; whether he is aware that for many years past these lands have been used by the landlord, H. Bruce Armstrong, of county Armagh, as a non-residential grazing farm and let on the eleven months' grazing system, whersas all around it there are numbers of poor fanners and labourers without sufficient land for their subsistence; whether he is aware that these lands were the subject of inspection and previous negotiation by the Estates Commissioners for acquirement for division amongst uneconomic holders in the district; and whether he will urge upon the Estates Commissioners to avail of the present opportunity to enter into negotiations with the landlord, who, it is stated locally, is now willing to soil in order to avoid the penalties incurred under the Defence of the Realm Act, in order to acquire this desirable holding for the relief of congestion in and around this area?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that the Department of Agriculture have entered on lands in the townland of Bawn, county Longford, in the occupation of Mr. Charles Webb, and that the holding of Mr. Henry Bruce Armstrong has been listed for inspection, but the question of entry thereon has not yet arisen. There have been proceedings with a view to the sale under the Land Purchase Acts of portion of Mr. Armstrong's property. The estate is on the "all cash" register of direct sales, and has not yet been reached in its order of priority.
§ Mr. FARRELLAm I to understand that there has been inspection by the Estates Commissioners or by the Department?
§ Mr. FARRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on a previous occasion the Estates Commissioners got hold of this land with a view to purchase and distribution?
§ Mr. DUKEI said that there had been proceedings with a view to the sale and resale under the Land Purchase Act.
§ Mr. FARRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to carry out the latter part of the question, that the Commissioners reopen negotiations as to sale?
§ Mr. DUKEWhen the matter is in a stage of negotiation it is put on the register of direct claims and has to await its turn of priority. This estate has not been reached in that order of priority.