HC Deb 15 March 1911 vol 22 cc2406-8W
Mr. HAYDEN

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that three years ago the owner of the Waithman Estate, near Athlone, in the county Roscommon, offered the estate for sale to the Estates Commissioners under Section 6; that the tenants then understood that the estate was being purchased by the Commissioners; and that the tenants' solicitor has received a reply from the Commissioners as to the condition of the negotiations for the purchase of the estate; whether he is aware that this has resulted in the issue of processes for the recovery of the unabated rents; and whether immediate steps will be taken to bring this matter to an early conclusion, either by the purchase of the estate by the Commissioners or by its transference to the Congested Districts Board?

Mr. BIRRELL

The owner offered this estate for sale to the Estates Commissioners, who have purchased the lands of Ballinlig, Carigeens, Tobberreoge, Knock-drumdonnell and Cartron, and the tenants have signed undertakings to purchase their holdings, which will be vested in them in due course. The Commissioners decided not to acquire the lands of Clonkeen, the holdings of which are congested, and the Commissioners had no untenanted land in the neighbourhood suitable for the relief of such congestion. The tenants on the lands acquired by the Commissioners are liable for interest in lieu of rent to the Land Commission. The Commissioners have no information regarding any legal proceedings taken by the owner to collect the rents due by the other tenants, nor have they any power to interfere in the matter. The Congested Districts Board have been asked to purchase the lands of Clonkeen, and have arranged for their inspection.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether, in the event of the Estates Commissioners acquiring the untenanted lands of Cloun-reask, adjacent to the village of Askeaton, in the county Limerick, they will allot a portion to each town tenant there to enable him to purchase his holding, especially having regard to the fact that they have used a portion of this land for a number of years on the eleven months' letting system, and have grown foodstuffs on it for themselves and their families?

Mr. BIRRELL

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Estates Commissioners have received a resolution from the town tenants of Askeaton on this subject, and if the untenanted lands of Cloonreask are acquired by the Commissioners they will consider the application of the town tenants when they are dealing with the lands in their order of priority.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked the Chief Secretary of Ireland if he can say whether, having regard to the fact that the untenanted lands of Newtown, on the Hew-son estate, adjoin the untenanted lands of Ballynorth, in the county of Limerick, which the Estates Commissioners are negotiating with the landlord to purchase, they will take steps simultaneously to acquire the lands of Newtown for the smallholders and their sons and labourers in the locality?

Mr. BIRRELL

The suggestion of the hon. Member will be considered by the Estates Commissioners, but up to the present no proceedings have been instituted before them for the sale of the lands of Newtown.