§ 24. Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested. Districts Board will consider the condition of the Westley estate, and, in view of the necessity of improving the tillage so as to meet the food problem, and also having regard to the fact that a number of tenants are living on uneconomic holdings and working hard for a bare subsistence, if he will advise that the striping out of the land will be proceeded with at once?
§ Mr. DUKEThe estate referred to has not been purchased by, or offered for sale to, he Congested Districts Board.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this case personally, even if only from the point of view of food production, considering the number of tenants 19 who are willing to till the land and are held back only by proprietary interests of a selfish character?
§ Mr. DUKEThat is a very large question. It is impossible, simply because there are lands occupied in a particular method according to law to meet the wishes of people in the neighbourhood who are willing to cultivate them, but have no right to do so. The general policy of cultivation is being carried out by very strong measures indeed throughout the country.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this case himself, as far as possible, as it stands out very conspicuously?