§ Mr. JOHN MURPHYasked the Chief Secretary whether he will ask the Estates Commissioners to make an inquiry into the matters complained of by Mr. James Wharton, of Ballyseedy, country Kerry, a tenant on the estate of Mr. Arthur Blennerhassett, to the effect that by the non-adjustment of the rent and by non-allowance for improvements, the tenant has been wronged, and by seizures and otherwise forced to comply with unreasonable terms?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Wharton's rent is a judicial rent fixed by order of the Land Commission. Against this order the tenant appealed, but subsequently withdrew his appeal. He has since entered into an agreement to purchase the holding from the owner at a price which comes within the zone provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the Commissioners have no power either to vary the judicial rent or to alter the price so agreed on.