HC Deb 27 September 1909 vol 11 c1066W
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the cases in which the tenant's signature to a land purchase agreement is obtained by duress or other improper method, the Estates Commissioners promising an inquiry before completion, and the tenant suffers loss by the seizure and sale of his goods at a sacrifice at the suit of the Land Commission collecting interest in lieu of rent for the landlord, the full amount recovered is paid over to the landlord; and, in the event of the subsequent inquiry establishing the duress or other invalidating vice, will he say how the tenant is compensated if the sale goes through within the zones, and how if the landlord rejects the reduced price and refuses to sell?

Mr. BIRRELL

As regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to my replies to the previous questions on the same subject asked by the hon. Member. As regards the concluding portion of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to Section 35 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896. If the Estates Commissioners are satisfied that a purchase agreement was signed under duress they refuse to make the advance, and thereupon the provisions of Sub-section (2) of that Section apply.