HC Deb 14 May 1914 vol 62 cc1303-5W
Mr. HAZLETON

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in connection with their offer for the purchase of the estate of Dr. Day, near Tuam, the Congested Districts Board will include the Kilbannon portion of the estate, held at present as nonresidential grazing farms?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have recently issued an amended offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, near Tuam, which has not yet been accepted. The Kilbannon portion of the estate has not so far been offered for sale to the Board.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked the reason for the delay on the part of the Congested Districts Board in buying the Kilgevrin portion of the Lynche estate, Milltown, county Galway; and whether steps will be taken to buy this property for the relief of the prevailing congestion in the district?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board inform me that there has been no avoidable delay in dealing with this matter. An offer for the purchase of the property referred to has been issued by the Board, but has not so far been accepted. Negotiations are proceeding.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked the Chief Secretary how soon the Congested Districts Board will be able to settle the Reddington estate, Kilbannon, county Galway, bought by the Board some years ago; and how much of the six or seven hundred acres of untenanted grazing land is to be used for the enlargement of the seventy-five uneconomic holdings whose valuation does not exceed £5 and the other congested properties on the estate?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board will not be in a position to deal with the rearrangement of the estate referred to until next spring. Until the scheme for the resettlement of the lands is prepared they are unable to say how much of the untenanted land will be utilised for the enlargement of the uneconomic holdings.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked what untenanted land on the Reddington estate, county Galway, the Congested Districts Board proposes to take up for the relief of congestion; whether the lands of Mr. Kearney and Mr. Ryan are included amongst those for this purpose; and, if not, what is the reason?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board propose to take up the non-residential grazing lands which are held under yearly tenancies on the Tuam section of the estate referred to, and to utilise them for the relief of congestion. The Board have not considered whether proceedings for resumption should be instituted in the case of the lands held by Mr. Kearney and Mr. Ryan.