HC Deb 18 April 1910 vol 16 cc1843-4W
Mr. DUFFY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he received a copy of a set of resolutions recently passed at a public meeting at Athenry; whether a request was made for some members of the Congested Districts Board to visit the district of Athenry and meet a deputation appointed to discuss the advisability of purchasing a quantity of grazing land in the neighbourhood; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?

Mr. DUFFY

also asked the Chief Secretary if he will explain the cause of the delay in making arrangements for the working of the new Congested Districts Board and the Land Purchase Act, 1909; which of the Departments, namely, the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners, is going to deal with the lands inspected by the inspectors to the Commissioners under the Act of 1903 in the Loughrea and Athenry districts; and can he state when the decision of the Government will be made known?

Mr. BIRRELL

I will answer these two questions together. I have received the Resolutions referred to, but there is no question at present before the Congested Districts Board calling for a conference with any local body or association. The Board have given their consent to the Estates Commissioners completing the purchase and resale of practically all the estates in the neighbourhood of Athenry offered to them before the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1909.

Mr. DUFFY

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a memorial was forwarded to the Local Government Board early in March from the labourers of Athenry, asking for a small reduction in the rent of their cottages; will he say if the memorial has been considered; and what is the result?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board have received the memorial referred to. The Board are not empowered to reduce the rents fixed by the rural district council, and it appears from the minutes of the council's meeting on 26th February last that a motion, of which due notice had been given, to reduce the rents from 8s. 4d. to 6s. a month could find only two supporters, twenty-two members voting against it. The rents fixed by the council can hardly be deemed excessive for cottages in the town of Athenry.