HL Deb 08 August 1901 vol 99 cc11-2
VISCOUNT TEMPLETOWN

My Lords, in rising to move for the Return standing in my name, I will not go into the questions at issue or give the reasons which have induced me to ask for the Return. In consequence of an alteration made in the form of the Return at the request of the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, I think it better to postpone my remarks until a future occasion. I can only express the very deep regret I feel that in spite of the fact that the Fry Commission laid great stress on the question of fixing true value, the records have not been kept sufficiently well to allow of all the important questions which I placed on the Paper being replied to; and I hope the noble and learned Lord will give some assurance that in future all such matters will be recorded in the books of the Land Commission as shall give that information to those interested which they have the most elementary right to ask for.

Moved, That there be laid before the House a Return giving (as far as possible) the following particulars of each case in which the "true value" of the tenancy has been ascertained by the court under the provisions of Section 1 (3) of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881:—(1) Names of Assistant Commissioners (or Land Commissioners) by whom each case was decided; (2) record number (if any); (3) date of order; (4) name of tenant; (5) name of landlord; (6) county; (7) townland; (8) extent of holding (statute measure); (9) rent when order was made; (10) amount of "true value" fixed.—(The Viscount Templetown.)

*THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND (Lord ASHBOURNE)

My Lords, I am glad that my noble friend modified the form of the Return for which he has moved. When I saw the motion on the Paper I had a conversation with the noble Viscount, and I explained to him that the holidays of the Land Commission, as well as of other bodies, had now commenced, and that therefore the information was very difficult to obtain. As far as I could ascertain—and I was most anxious to give the fullest possible information —they were not in a position to give the information, the request for which he has kindly omitted from the form of the Return. As to the recording of such information in future, I have no doubt the Land Commission will read the remarks of my noble friend, and give them fair consideration.

On Question, agreed to.