HC Deb 12 December 1912 vol 45 cc779-80W
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners received a memorial in June, 1907, asking them to purchase the lands of Clonabraney, on the Wade estate, for distribution; whether at that time the agent for the estate expressed his willingness to sell portions of the untenanted land; whether the lands were inspected with the object of purchasing them; whether he is aware that no member of the Wade family has lived on the estate for the past thirty years, and will he say who it is who now seeks to effect a repurchase; whether the Commissioners, before consenting to a resale, will have regard to Section 3, Subsection (3), which states that, in entering into an agreement for the resale of any land to the vendor of an estate, the Land Commission shall have regard to the amount of land available for the enlargement of holdings where they consider such enlargement necessary; and whether the Commissioners are aware that the untenananted land is sorely needed for small holders on the estate?

Mr. BIRRELL

The reply to the first paragraph of the Question is in the affirmative. This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants, and the owner proposes to repurchase his demesne under Section 3 of the Act of 1903. The matters referred to by the hon. Member will be duly considered by the Estates Commissioners when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority.

Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Chief Secretary whether J. H. Nicholson, Esquire, of Balbrath, Kells, county Meath, has offered any of his untenanted land to the Estates Commissioners; whether they have initiated any negotiations for purchase; and, if acquired, will it be used for the enlargement of local uneconomic holdings?

Mr. BIRRELL

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. There is no untenanted land included in the sale proceedings, but the Estates Commissioners understand that if they require some untenanted land for the enlargement of any small holdings, the owner will sell it provided an agreement as to price is come to, and the matter will be considered by the Commissioners when they are dealing with the estate in order of priority.