§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state by whose instructions and for what purpose do revenue officers in Ireland now require to see copies of the purchase agreements of occupants of agricultural land; whether any increase of assessment on such land is not a breach of his repeated assurance; and whether he is aware that large increases are made both on purchasers and on payers of interest whose purchases are still uncertain?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not aware that any such instructions as those alluded to have been issued to Revenue officers in Ireland. If the hon. Member will furnish me with a specific instance of the assessments to which he refers I will cause inquiry to be made into the matter.
§ Mr. GUINEYasked whether it is the custom of the Estates Commissioners to give precedence of inspection to estates purchased under the Irish Land Act, 1909, over estates which have been purchased under the Land Act of 1903, and for which agreements to purchase have been lodged with the Commissioners in some cases seven years?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that under the regulations made under Section 23 (8) of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and Section 4 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, estates agreed to be sold under the Irish Land Act, 1909, are inspected and dealt with irrespective of estates agreed to be sold under the Irish Land Act, 1903.
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§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners have entered into negotiations for the purchase of waste lands and grazing ranches at Corrumbla, near Ballina; and if he can state when the purchase of the said lands is likely to be completed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board received an application on behalf of the tenants of Corimla South, near Ballina, asking the Board to purchase their holdings for the purpose of resale to them, and suggesting that about 150 acres of grass lands on the same "state should also be acquired by the Board for the enlargement of their holdings. The Board accordingly intimated to the landlord that they were willing to negotiate for the purchase of his estate. The Board will again communicate with the landlord.
§ Mr. GILHOOLYasked the Chief Secretary whether, when negotiating for the purchase of the agricultural portion of Mr. Leigh White's estate at Glengarriffe, county Cork, the Estates Commissioners will also treat with Mr. Leigh White for the purchase of the village of Glengariffe?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to is not the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners, but is pending as a direct sale from the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements have been signed by the tenants. If the tenants of the village holdings enter into agreements with the vendor for the purchase of their holdings the Commissioners will, when dealing with the estate in order of priority, consider what sums they can advance on the security of the premises.
§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial from the people of Drom, county Tipperary, requesting the Estates Commissioners to purchase for distribution amongst the small holders of the district the farms situated at Graigue and Knocka, Templemore, county Tipperary, about to be offered for sale by the executors of the late Brooklyn Roe; and whether he can state what steps the Estate Cimmsisioners propose to take in order to acquire those lands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have received the memorial referred to, but do not propose to take any action in the matter?