§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary what steps, if any, the Estates Commissioners have taken towards acquiring for distribution among landless and congested people any of the untenanted lands on the Chapman estate, near Delvin, Westmeath, which Mr. Francis V. Chapman, owner or trustee, is willing to sell; whether the land judge is also willing to sell the part under his control; what is the entire area of untenanted land on that property; and whether the Commissioners will take any steps towards acquiring and distributing it?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not taken any proceedings to acquire these lands. They understand that the property is not the subject of proceedings for sale in the Court of the land judge, but is under a receiver appointed by the receiver judge in the matter of a Chancery action. Up to the present no proceedings have been instituted before the Commissioners for the sale of the estate under the Land Purchase Acts, and they have no information as regards the area of untenanted land thereon.