§ Mr. THOMAS F. SMYTHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether the Congested Districts Board will put the compulsory powers of the Land Act of 1909 into force, concerning the sale of the Latouche estate, situate in the vicinity of Carrigallen, county 2042W Leitrim, and as the tenants were entering into negotiations for the sale of the property, shortly after the passing of the Land Act of 1903, but met with every opposition from the estate agent; and whether, as proceedings were instituted against a number of the tenants at the recent quarter sessions in Carrick-on-Shannon in January last, and that the county court judge put a stay on the decrees, which he gave for a time, with a view to having the estate sold in the meantime, if negotiations will be commenced immediately for the sale of this estate, so that the tenants may be spared further litigation and expense?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not considered the question of putting their compulsory powers under the Irish Land Act, 1909, into force in this case. I understand proceedings were instituted 2043W in January last against a number of the tenants on the estate, and decrees given, but, by the consent of the agent, a stay of execution of the decrees was given until 1st March. The agent has been supplied, at his own request, with the necessary documents to enable him to furnish the particulars required before an inspection and valuation of the estate can be made. As soon as the documents are received the estate will be valued without avoidable delay.