§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of the Marshall estate, Callinaferry, the National Debt Commissioners have made a profit of over £500 since the vendor was paid; if so, whether this loss to the tenants is due to 587W the neglect of the Estates Commissioners in not taking the necessary steps to have the estate vested in proper time; and what steps does he propose to take in order to make good to the tenants the loss they have incurred through no fault of their own?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that the National Debt Commissioners have made any profit in this case. They have only been paid the interest payable to them pursuant to the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the tenants have only been required to pay the minimum rate of interest prescribed by that Act pending the vesting of the lands in them. The delay in vesting the holdings in the tenants was occasioned by their not signing the necessary deed providing for the maintenance of the embankment on the estate. This they have now done, and the lands will be vested in them as soon as practicable.