§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the total area of untenanted land now available to the Estates Commissioners for distribution, but still used by graziers at the request of the Commissioners, with the counties in which such land is situated; at what date the Commissioners began this method of withholding from landless and congested people land which Parliament determined should be distributed; whether some of the land has been so withheld all that time; what the explanation of the practice is; and whether he will have it discontinued and all untenanted land distributed as soon as available.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe following lands in the hands of the Estates Commissioners are temporarily let for grazing pending completion of schemes for their allotment, the erection of houses and the carrying out of other improvements:—
County. Acres. Present User. Clare 55 Let to Urban District Council. Galway 6,740 5,054 acres let to Committees representing occupiers of small holdings and residue let for grazing. King's 514 Let to Committee representing occupiers of small holdings. Longford 180 Let for grazing. Meath 350 Ditto. Roscommon 56 Let to Rural District Council. Sligo 139 Let for grazing. As a rule the Estates Commissioners prepare their schemes of allotment before taking over possession of untenanted land and place allottees in occupation immediately on taking over possession. In some cases, however, it is necessary to erect houses before placing the allottees into occupation, and in these the Commissioners take over possession of the land, making the best use of it until they are in a position to place the allottees in possession. The temporary lettings by the Commissioners in such cases rarely exceed twelve months, and I am satisfied that there is no avoidable delay on the part of the Commissioners in the distribution of such land.