19. Sir J. D. REESasked why, in cases where very sparsely-inhabited large estates have for political purposes been declared congested areas, and have under a final offer been taken over by the Board, a settlement is not effected with the landlord; and whether in some cases payment, even when the amount has been settled, is not made for upwards of six years?
Mr. KERRYThe Congested Districts Board have never taken, and have no legal power to take, over an estate without the consent of the vendor except in the case of compulsory purchase by order of a, competent legal tribunal, nor have they power to include or exclude congested areas in the Congested Districts Counties which are defined by Section 46 of the Irish Land Act. The delay in payment of the purchase prices of estates is a matter over which the Board have no control. In the case of estates agreed to be purchased delay arises from the vendor not satisfying the Land Commission as to his title, and in the case of estates purchased for cash, owing to the fact that the cash rendered available each year is limited by the Treasury Regulations, and owing to the War the amount so available has been greatly reduced.