HC Deb 21 April 1909 vol 3 cc1644-5W
Mr. JOHN MURPHY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Estates Commissioners can be induced to make a statement as to what they propose to do as to the making of grants to evicted tenants on the Kenmare Estate, County Kerry, seeing that the claims of these evicted tenants have been several times investigated by the Commissioners' representatives within the past two years; whether the Commissioners have taken any steps on the several representations made to them as to the making of seizures and the carrying out of legal proceedings by Lord Kenmare to coerce tenants who have been unwilling to sign purchase agreements on the land- lord's conditions; and whether the Commissioners will take any steps to enforce the written agreement signed by the landlord and his agents as to evicted tenants, congested districts, turbary, game rights, and other matters, on the strength of which the sale was agreed upon?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners are at present in communication with the owner as to the prices of the evicted holdings. They are not prepared at this stage of the negotiations to make any statement as to the grants they may make to the evicted tenants. As regards the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to my replies to previous questions on the subject asked by the hon. Member.