Mr. ABRAHAM (Cork)asked the Chief Secretary whether purchase agreements for the sale of Lady Holroyd Smith's estate, Kilworth, county Cork, have yet been lodged with the Estates Commissioners; whether Mr. Clarke, agent to the owner, has refused to include Messrs. Edmund O'Brien and John Hanlon, tenants on the estate, in the sale and purchase ostensibly on the ground that their farms are held in fee simple; and whether the Commissioners will favourably consider the claim of these tenants for inclusion with the others in the sale and purchase of the estate as a whole when it comes to be dealt with in order of priority?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAgreement for purchase in respect of the estate of Lady Harriette Gertrude Isabella Smyth, county Cork, were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in October last. These agreements include three signed by John Hanlon in respect of three holdings on the estate and one by Edmund O'Brien. The cases of any tenants who have not signed 819W purchase agreements will be inquired into when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority.