§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners will, now that their larger operations are suspended, co-operate in the effort to increase food production by asking Mr. Gradwell to join with his tenant, Mr. M'Culloch, in selling for distribution and tillage the grass farms which the latter desires to sell near Finea, Westmeath, leaving the distribution of the price between the owners to the Commissioners or to arbitration; and whether the matter will be undertaken immediately for the purposes of next year's cropping?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Estates Commissioners state that they furnished Mr. Gradwell's solicitor at his request in 1912 with an estimate of the price which they would be prepared to offer for the purchase of the lands provided formal proceedings were instituted before them for the sale of the lands freed and discharged from all occupation interests, and that they were subsequently informed that874W Mr. Gradwell did not intend to proceed further with the matter, as under the Act of 1909 the purchase money would be payable in Guaranteed Three per Cent. Stock, equal in nominal amount to the purchase money.