HC Deb 13 June 1917 vol 94 cc932-3
96. Mr. KEATING

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Major John Poe, Graigue House, Kilmanagh, county Kilkenny, owns the estate of Construeboola, Callan, South Kilkenny, approximately of 150 Irish acres; that this land is unfilled; that this fact was brought to the notice of the Department of Agriculture on behalf of persons who are willing to till the land under the conacre system; that the Department has not taken any action in the matter; that the landlord was also written to by persons who can till the land successfully and that he did not even reply to the communication; that the landlord owns two other estates in North Kilkenny, one comprising 20 Irish acres and the other 180 Irish acres, upon which only one field of 2½ acres is being tilled; and will he inquire into the facts, with the view of ascertaining whether this technical compliance with the terms of the tillage Regulations on the estates in North Kilkenny entitles him to be exempted from the Regulations on the estate in South Kilkenny?

Mr. DUKE

I am informed that Major J. Poe owns the lands referred to, and that he also has lands in other parts of the county Kilkenny. Under the Compulsory Tillage Regulations the occupier of a number of holdings can aggregate them and decide whether he will cultivate the requisite area on any one or more of the holdings. In this case the occupier is absent on active service. The Department of Agriculture have listed the case for inspection. They are not yet in a position to state how far Major Poe has complied with the Regulations.

Mr. KEATING

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inhabitants of the town have addressed a letter to the Department, which has not even had the courtesy to give them any information at all?

Mr. DUKE

I am naturally not aware of that. I hope it will be found that there has been an oversight and that it will be remedied.

Mr. FLAVIN

Do I understand that this man, who has several farms in his possession, paid no attention to the instructions of the Department of Agriculture, that no tillage has been begun on the farms and will not be begun till next year?

Mr. DUKE

I did not say anything of the kind.

Mr. CRUMLEY

When will proceedings be taken against him?

Mr. DUKE

The case must be inquired into before the gentleman is condemned.

Mr. KEATING

Is the matter being inquired into? That is all we want to know.

Mr. DUKE

That was the answer I gave the hon. Member some time ago.