§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the estimated total acreage of land in Ireland now subject to the jurisdiction of the Land Judge?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that this information is not available, and to supply it would involve an investigation into the area of land comprised in every order of the Court for sale made since the institution of the Incumbered Estates Commission in 1849 down to the present time. The value of the information when obtained would be out of all proportion to the trouble and expense involved.
Mr. KELLYasked the Chief Secretary whether, previous to the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the Hayes estate, county Donegal, the tenants had entered into agreements with the landlord, with the knowledge of the Board, for an immediate sale at a reduction of 7s. in the £; and, if so, will he explain why the Board do not regard this arrangement as subsisting between the tenants and themselves?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have no knowledge that the tenants1344W on the estate of the late Sir E. F. Hayes had entered into agreements with their landlord for the purchase of their holdings on the terms mentioned. Before the Board agreed to purchase the property three-fourths of the tenants signed an agreement to purchase their holdings at prices that would mean a reduction of 7s. and 8s. in the £, but that, pending the sale of their holdings to them, the present rents and conditions of tenancy should continue. The tenants in occupation of agricultural holdings will, notwithstanding this agreement, receive, after the payment of one year's full rent, certain abatements of subsequent demands for rent.