§ Mr. CREANasked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the Estates Commissioners had entered into arrangements for the purchase of five evicted farms in the possession of Miss O'Grady, Crosshaven, county Cork; that the tenants evicted from these farms signed agreements for purchase under the Land Act of 1903; and that subsequently, after the passing of the Land Act. 1909, all those agreements were cancelled by the Estates Commissioners and the evicted tenants called upon to sign new terms of purchase 161W raising their annuities from 3¼ to 3½; whether the evicted tenants have signed these agreements; and, if so, why have they not been restored to their former holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of Miss Selina O'Grady, county Cork, part of which the Estates Commissioners propose to acquire under the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. The owner has lodged a petition under Section 2 of this Act which has not yet been determined. These lands comprise the former holdings of three evicted tenants, and no agreements or undertakings appear to have ever been lodged in respect of them.