Mr. POWERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether the Estates Commissioners intend acquiring by compulsory powers the lands of Cullinagh, Kilmeaden, county Waterford, now on the hands of the landlord, Mr. Kelly, with the view of reinstating Mr. Michael Hickey, the former tenant; if the landlord has declined to accept the sum of money which the Commissioners considered to be the full value of the lands; and can he state why the lands are not acquired by compulsory powers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that these lands are subject to a land purchase annuity, and cannot be acquired compulsorily under the Evicted Tenants Act.
§ Sir THOMAS ESMONDEasked the Chief Secretary if, in view of their interest and importance from an antiquarian standpoint, he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to the preservation of the ratebooks of Irish unions prior to 1864, and also the tithe applotment records, as well as the existing and future Census returns?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs I informed the hon. Member in reply to a question on the same subject asked by him on 9th July last, the rate books of the Irish Poor Law unions are the property of the local authorities, and are not under my control. The tithe applotment records are carefully preserved in the office of the Irish Land Commission, and the existing Census Returns partly in the Public Record Office and partly in the General Register Office.