§ Mr. MOOREasked the Chief Secretary if he will state the nature of the special circumstances referred to in the Land Purchase Regulations of 24th May, 1910, Wider which the Estates Commissioners, with the approval of the Lord Lieutenant, can take an estate out of its ordinary priority for distribution of purchase money; how many estates have been so dealt with since 24th May; and will the special reasons for each be available for the information of Members of the House, and if the fact that such an estate has been the object of intimidation, cattle-driving, boycotting, or local agitation, constitutes a special reason for priority within the meaning of the Regulation?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Regulation in question only applies to estates sold to the Commissioners. Their proposal to proceed with the purchase of four estates, representing purchase money to the amount of £24,183, out of the order of priority has been approved by the Lord Lieutenant. These four estates consisted mainly of un-tenanted lands, which were urgently re-1464W quired for the relief of congestion or to provide holdings for evicted tenants. No estate has been given priority for any of the reasons mentioned in the concluding portion of the question.