§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the omission of the Evicted Tenants Act from the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill puts an end to the last hope of a peaceful settlement of the numerous meritorious claims of evicted tenants still left outstanding; and whether care will be taken in any Irish land legislation introduced next Session to provide for the submission to the County Court judges of such cases as the Estates Commissioners may determine to be deserving of further consideration?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe omission from the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill of the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, which confer compulsory powers on the Estates Commissioners, does not in any way prevent the settlement of the remaining claims which are capable of being dealt with under that Act. They may be dealt with under the provisions of the1116W Land Purchase Acts generally. I would also remind the hon. Member that any matters relating to the exercise of the compulsory powers which are pending in Court when these powers expire (that is to say, on the 31st December, 1912), may subsequently be proceeded with until their final determination.