§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether if the Estates Commissioners have yet completed the sale to the tenants of the estate of Mr. John Hart, B.L., of Bally-macramery, Saintfield, county Down, agreements for the purchase of which were entered into nearly nine years ago; and, if not, can he give the reason for the delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The estate referred to is the subject of proceedings for sale by the owner to the tenants direct under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in September, 1906. The estate has been dealt with by the Commissioners, and the purchase money will be placed to credit as soon as the vendor furnishes in accordance with the rulesprima facie evidence of his title to sell, but up to the present this has not been done.