§ Mr. O'SHEEalso asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, on 22nd July, 1909, the Estates Commissioners held a public inquiry with reference to the objections of the owner, Mr. Charles Nugent Humble, to the taking compulsorily of certain lands under the Evicted Tenants Act of 1907 which Mrs. Johanna Coleman claimed as the evicted farm of her deceased husband; whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners have recently given their decision to discontinue the proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the lands; what were the objections of the owner which they considered were sustained by the evidence at the inquiry; whether he is aware that the various decisions given by the King's Bench Division and the Estates Commissioners prove that the intention of Parliament in passing the Evicted Tenants Act is being frustrated; and whether the Estates Commissioners can give any instance of land actually acquired by compulsion under that Act and not by an arrangement arrived at under threat of compulsion?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts as to the in quiry and as to the Estates Commissioners' decision are correctly stated in the question. The Commissioners do not consider it desirable to discuss their judicial decisions or the decisions of the High Court in reply to Parliamentary questions.