asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any answers were sent by the Board of Inland Revenue to the sixteen bodies of local commissioners who suggested that demand notes for the payment of Income Tax should be sent out with a notice affixed stating that the note was to be taken by way of request for voluntary payment only; and, if so, what was the tenour of the replies, and would he lay the correspondence upon the Table; and whether, in pursuance of his desire to facilitate the voluntary collection of the Income Tax, he instructed the Board of Inland Revenue to communicate the suggestion to the other 724 bodies of local commissioners, not for the purpose of interfering with the exercise of their discretion, but for their information?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In my answer of the 18th instant, I have already indicated the tenour of the Inland Revenue replies in question, and I am unable to adopt the suggestion contained in the second part to lay the correspondence upon the Table. The answer to the third part is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some more explicit information as regards the tenour of the replies to which he refers?

I do not think it is desirable that the correspondence between the Inland Revenue and the Local Commissioners should be made public; in fact, I think it would be very undesirable, as the hon. Member will probably realise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the expressed intention of the Government that Increment Duty would not be charged on agricultural land let as accommodation land up to £10 or more per acre, provided it had no value for building purposes, he still intended to charge Increment and Undeveloped Land Duty on agricultural and accommodation land near towns or elsewhere which might be leased at a far lower rent than £10 per acre because, in the view of the Land Commissioners, this land might have value for building purposes?

It is the intention of the Government that Increment Value Duty shall not be charged in respect of any agricultural land unless its value for purposes other than agricultural is higher than its value for agricultural purposes only. As regards Undeveloped Land Duty, in the case of agricultural land which has a building value, the duty will only be leviable upon the difference between the agricultural value and the value for other purposes.

asked if the arrears of taxation for the year 1909–10 were, when collected, to be placed to the credit of the year 1910–11; and, if so, would they be devoted, as collected, to the repayment of the money borrowed to make up the deficit in the 1909–10; and, if so, under what authority would this be done?

The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative. The authority is Section 11 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866 (29 and 30 Vict. c. 39) and Section 1 of the Treasury (Temporary Borrowing) Act, 1910.

Does it not require something to be added to the Finance Bill to meet this case?

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could state the increased amount that would have to be paid by Scotland under the Budget, 1909–10; and would he state the amount received by Scotland under the Old Age Pensions Act?

I may, perhaps, refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for South Lanarkshire on 14th June last. The necessary adjustments in respect of the concessions made during the passage of the Finance Bill through the House of Commons last year, the overestimate of the yield of the increased Spirit Duties, and the loss through delay will probably result in the reduction of the Scottish contribution to the true revenue of the year in respect of the new and in- creased taxes to something less than £1,000,000. The amount paid to old age pensioners in Scotland in the financial year 1909–10 was approximately £945,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the further information obtained by him, he would now say at what amount he estimated the loss to the revenue of the current financial year resulting from the rejection of the Finance Bill in another place?

I have nothing to add to the information which I laid before the House on the 19th instant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what would have been the difference had the Income Tax Resolution been passed in February, and acted upon?

I do not think the difference would have been a serious one.

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his answer of 8th March with his statement of the 19th instant?

That is a matter for argument.

asked who would be liable under the Finance Bill for Licence Duties chargeable as from 30th September last in cases where licences had been transferred to new owners or tenants since that date; and under what clause of the Finance Bill the liability was defined?

The liability for the Licence Duty to be charged under the Finance Bill as from 30th September last is defined in the second paragraph of Clause 53 of the Bill, which provides that if the additional sum to be paid by the licence-holder exceeds the sum to be repaid or allowed upon his existing licence ceasing to be in force, the excess shall be treated as an addition to the duty to be paid in respect of any licence granted in Substitution for the existing licence. The duty will, therefore, in all cases be collected from the licence-holder, but if the licence-holder is bound by any such covenant as is referred to in Clause 46 he will be entitled to obtain a reimbursement as provided by that Clause. The fact that a licence may have been transferred to a new owner or tenant since 30th September does not affect the position under the Bill as above explained, but any person who has since that date taken a transfer of an existing licence would, in doing so, have been able to take into account the liability under the Bill or to make some arrangement in reference to it, and in all probability has done so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a new department has been formed in the Inland Revenue Office to deal with the valuation of land under the Land Taxation Clauses of the Finance Bill; if so, how many officers have been appointed and under what conditions; what will be the total increase of staff required; and what will be the total cost involved to the Exchequer?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to similar questions by the hon. Members for the Wirral Division of Chester, and for the Ross Division of Hereford.

Does the right hon. Gentleman adhere absolutely to the Prime Minister's statement that the clear permanent charge involved will not be more than £150,000 a year, and does that include additions to the existing Valuation Department?

I think I must have notice of that; I should not like to answer it off-hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is a necessary condition for appointment to the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue that applicants should be members of the Surveyors' Institution; and, if so, why other professional bodies have been excluded?

The existing Valuation Branch of the Inland Revenue is composed principally of Fellows and Professional Associates of the Surveyors' Institution. The selection of the staff was governed by the requirements of the public service in connection with Estate Duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many boys were employed as stampers in Somerset House, and what proportion of them were discharged without opportunity of further service; and whether he would take steps to secure that in the future the Department should not employ more juvenile labour than it was able to absorb?

The total number of boys employed on the staff of the Stamp Department in England is 142. In 1907 the Commissioners of Inland Revenue took steps with a view to reducing the number of discharges amongst the older boys on that staff, and further steps in the same direction are now under consideration. The number of boys having more than three years' service in the Stamping Department who were discharged therefrom in 1908 because of lack of vacancies on the men's staff was three. In 1909 there were no such discharges. The number of boys on that staff who were promoted during those two years to permanent situations under the Commissioners of Inland Revenue was twenty-two.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the nature of the scheme for State insurance against unemployment, invalidity, and sickness, which was privately printed for him by the Government printers, and circulated by him amongst the members of the National Conference of Friendly Societies; and whether a copy of such scheme can be supplied to Members of this House?

I have been privileged to have meetings of a purely private and informal character with certain representative members of the great friendly societies at which I laid before them for confidential discussion the cit-lines of a contributory scheme of State insurance against sickness, invalidity, etc. I cannot make any further statement on the subject at present.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that there is no scheme, but only outlines?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state what was the total amount of money spent in connection with the upkeep, administration, and general management of the Athenry Agricultural Station during the year 1909 and each year since its formation; the amount paid to the Congested Districts Board as purchase money; and the amount paid to tradesmen in Athenry and firms in Scotland and England, respectively, for articles of consumption, machinery, and other such things during the same period of time?

The answer to the first part of the question is as follows: 1905–6, £1,225; 1906–7, £1,370; 1907–8, £1,820; 1908–9, £1,580; 1909–10, £1,440. No money was paid by the Department to the Congested Districts Board in respect of purchase. The estate was bought from the owners. To answer the last part of the question would involve a detailed examination of the accounts of the station, but it may be stated that purchases were made outside Ireland only in the case of special requisities not stocked in the country.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the number of acres of land under tillage at the Agricultural Station, Athenry, in 1909; what proportion was given over to barley, oats, potatoes, turnips, and mangolds respectively; what was the approximate yield per acre of potatoes, mangolds, and turnips; and what was the cost of tillage at this farm during the same period, including salaries, expenses, artificial manures, implements, fuel, and horses?

There were 125 acres under tillage at Athenry Agricultural Station in 1909, of which eighty acres were under oats, fourteen under potatoes, seventeen under turnips, and five under mangolds. No barley was grown. The estimated yield per acre of potatoes was thirteen tons, of turnips thirty tons, and of mangolds thirty-six tons. The cost of tillage cannot be stated separately.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, through the neglect of the officials in charge of the Athenry Agricultural Station, over 70 tons of potatoes were destroyed by frost during the winter of 1909 through having been left exposed; that the greater part of the crop of mangolds and turnips raised on the same farm was also lost through an attack of what was officially described as bacterial rot; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Department to put in a crop of turnips and mangolds this coming season?

I understand that some potatoes—nothing like seventy tons— were affected by disease. This was not e due to any neglect. The turnips also suffered, a common occurrence, as I am informed, where the crop is grown on land long under grass. The mangolds were not injured. The Department intend to continue the cultivation of turnips and mangolds at Athenry.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number respectively of Shorthorn, Polled Angus, Hereford, and Dexter cows kept on the agricultural farm at Athenry for breeding purposes; how many premium bulls have been purchased from the officials at this station by farmers in the several counties where the Department's live-stock schemes are in operation, and the average pries obtained for each; and whether the Department of Agriculture has decided to continue sending premium bulls of the Galloway and Polled Angus breed to Connemara for the improvement of live stock in that district?

Shorthorn cows only are kept at the Agricultural Station at Athenry. The number varies from thirty to forty. Two hundred and eighty-seven premium bulls have been purchased from the station by farmers at an average price of £29 14s. The Department will continue to sell to farmers in Connemara bulls of the breeds referred to in the last part of the question if there is a demand for them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he can state which of the two public Departments, the Estates Commissioners or Congested Districts Board, is about inspecting and settling the Lahiff estate, Gort; is he aware that a large part of the town of Gort is included in the estate; and will he see that, in any steps taken to take over this property, the town tenants shall be included in the sale?

The Gal way portion of this estate is the subject of proceedings for sale in the Land Judge's Court, and the offer of the Estates Commissioners is before the Judge. The town of Gort is not included in the sale.

Is there any reason that the town portion of the property should not be included in the sale as well as in Athenry and other towns?

I do not know how that is; I will inquire.

asked the Chief Secretary if any further progress has been made in the proposed sale of the lands of R Davoren, at Killarsona, North Longford; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?

The Estates Commissioners have made an offer for the purchase of these lands, but the owner has not yet accepted it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will direct the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the fact that Mr. James W. Bond, of Farragh, county Longford, has, in a letter written to the secretary of the Abbeyland branch of the United Irish League, stated he is willing to sell his untenanted lands at Coolcraft, barony of Granard, to the Estates Commissioners for sub-division under the 42nd Section of the Land Act of 1909; and what action he will advise in reference thereto?

If the owner offers these lands to the Estates Commissioners the matter will receive consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in order to relieve congestion, he will direct that the estate of John Edward Thompson, of Clonfin, county Longford, be taken out of its order of priority in order that the 500 acres of untenanted lands may be divided amongst the tenants and other deserving applicants, as was agreed on by the landlord at the time of sale?

It is not proposed to deal with this estate out of the order of priority.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that means that it will not be dealt with for six years?

That depends upon the rate of progress.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state when the proposed allocation of the lands of Rhyne, parish of Killoe, county Longford, which were agreed to be sold by the landlord to the Estates Commissioners for division amongst the uneconomic holdings on the estate, will be made; whether any inspection has yet been ordered or made; and, if not, when it will take place?

The Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given in the question to identify the lands as pending for sale before them. Their practice is to deal with estates before them in their order of priority according to the regulations.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the number of evicted tenants in the West Riding of the county of Cork whose claims have been investigated by the Estates Commissioners and placed on the approved list; how many of these have been provided with holdings; and what steps are being at present taken to establish the remainder on the land again?

The Estates Commissioners have received 1,106 applications from persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants in county Cork. The figures for the West Riding cannot be given separately. Six hundred and fifty-two of the applications have been rejected by the Commissioners after inquiry, 197 applicants have been reinstated or provided with new holdings, and the names of 121 have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land. The remaining applications were received after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot be dealt with under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can give the names of the owners of untenanted land in the West Riding of Cork against whom compulsory proceedings have been taken under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907; what is the area in each case of the land proposed to be compulsorily acquired; and how many evicted tenants are likely to be placed on the land so acquired?

The Estates Commissioners do not keep separate statistics for the two Ridings of county Cork. Proceedings are pending under the Evicted Tenants Act for the acquisition of 4,000 acres on sixteen estates in the county. Full particulars of all lands which are the subject of such proceedings are published in the "Dublin Gazette," as required by the Statute. Until the lands are acquired the Commissioners cannot say how many evicted tenants they will accommodate.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the date and year when the Estates Commissioners took the first action with reference to the reinstatement of Mrs. O'Connell, an evicted tenant on the above estate; when was the notice to acquire the farm compulsorily served on the owner; and what is the cause of the delay, if any, in having the case heard?

The Estates Commissioners inquired into this case in 1907, and, after negotiations with the owner, instituted proceedings in March, 1909, for the acquisition of the farm in question under the Evicted Tenants Act. The case is pending for the decision under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say what steps, if any, have been taken by the Estates Commissioners in the case of Peter Kelly, of Blanchfields Park, county Kilkenny, state of Lady Annally; is he aware that in 1883, ten days previous to the expiration of the time of the redemption of his holding, he tendered to Mr. Maud, the agent to Lady Annally, his full rent with costs, and at whose suggestion he withheld his rent on the plea that he would write to the landlady for a rebate of the costs, but that he was afterwards evicted without further notice; and will he see that this man's case will be immediately attended to with a view of restoring him to his holding or an equivalent holding?

I understand that Peter Kelly died many years ago. The Estates Commissioners received an application from his sister for reinstatement, and, after considering all the circumstances of the case, decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say if any steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners with a view of acquiring the untenanted lands of the Persse estate, Killashulan, county Kilkenny, which is being continually set on the eleven months' system to men who are otherwise large landowners, while a large number of uneconomic landholders reside in the immediate district who are most anxious to acquire portions of this land; and will he see that the Estates Commissioners will take immediate steps to acquire this land for the purposes above indicated?

The owner is selling this estate to the tenants, and the purchase agreements were not lodged until October, 1908. When the property is being dealt with in order of priority the Estates Commissioners will make due inquiry with regard to the untenanted land.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to an award of £15 for malicious injury to property, given at Bin-Quarter Sessions on 5th April in favour of Martin Delaney; whether the perpetrators of this offence have been arrested; and what steps have been taken to prevent the further molestation of Delaney in the lawful enjoyment of his property?

Three hundred yards of fencing on the farm of Martin Delaney were destroyed eleven months ago. The police have not been able to make any arrests in connection with the case, but they are affording all necessary protection to Delaney.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at a meeting of tenants on the Palmer estate, held at Castlebar on the 9th instant, when a resolution was passed demanding a reduction of 25 per cent, in rents, which otherwise would be withheld from the landlord and deposited with trustees, and threatening with the odium of their fellows such tenants as would not subscribe to this resolution; and whether, under these circumstances, he will advise the Congested Districts Board to decline to receive the deputation from the said meeting until this resolution has been rescinded?

My attention has been called to the proceedings at this meeting. The resolution has not been forwarded to the Congested Districts Board, nor have they been asked to receive a deputation from the meeting.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any arrests have been made in connection with those outrages upon property for which Judge Law-Smith gave awards amounting to upwards of £40 on 2nd April at the Limerick Quarter Sessions?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question may I inquire if he will kindly also state to the House what were the comments of the county court judge on the condition of Limerick county and city?

I have not got those comments before me, but my attention was called to them, and they were of a very satisfactory nature. In answer to the question on the Paper, I have to say that compensation was awarded on the occasion in question in four cases of malicious injury. In one ease the claim was for windows broken by a crowd during the election, and in the others for injuries done by night to a wall, trees, and a bullock respectively. No arrests have been made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many pairs of white gloves the county court judge has received for the county and city during the last few years?

A large number.

Is it not a common thing for him to receive them?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at the first meeting of convocation of the new Queen's University of Belfast, held on the 16th instant, a resolution was passed by 238 votes to 56 emphatically condemning both the original establishment in the university of a lectureship in scholastic philosophy and any extension of its scope: and whether the Government, in filling vacancies in the senate which may occur between now and 1st November, 1914, will consult convocation before making an appointment to such vacancies?

I have seen a report of the proceedings at the meeting of the Convocation. I do not propose to adopt the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman then intend to flout the action or the influence of Convocation, which in four years will be the body that will have the direction of the entire university, including the appointment of members of the senate?

It is not a question of flouting; it is simply obeying the law.

Is it not quite within the right hon. Gentleman's power, and within his province, in the case of a vacancy arising, to use his influence to have a person appointed who will be acceptable to Convocation?

No, Sir. I have no concern with that except to appoint the person best qualified to discharge the duties of the office.

Apply to the "Grand Black Chapter!"

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) if the authorities of the National University and University College, Dublin, have decided not to expend any moneys on additional buildings for the present, and in lieu thereof have rented the premises of the Jesuit College at £400 a year, payable to the Roman Catholic bishops; and if he will explain why, under these circumstances, the Estimates for 1910–11 show £50,000 for the National University and University College in respect of purchasing lands and providing necessary buildings, and how it is proposed to expend this Grant; and (2) if it is intended that Protestant students in University College, Dublin, are to attend lectures in the premises of the Jesuit College, St. Stephen's Green?

I have already explained that the question of new university buildings is under consideration, and that in the meantime the premises in St. Stephen's Green have been taken for three years, presumably for the use of students of all denominations. The Jesuits have departed from the College.

What is going to become of the £50,000 down on the Estimates for new buildings for this year?

The hon. Member surely does not suggest that money should be expended without due consideration, and the securing of the best possible site that can be obtained?

I do not suggest anything: I asked the right hon. Gentleman what is going to happen?

The money will be there.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce at an early date, or at all, the legislation recommended in the recent Report of the Departmental Committee on the Irish Butter Industry to deal with the protection of Irish butter from misdescription, and to enforce proper conditions in the production of butter and of milk and cream in cases where the general interests of the industry are affected?

The Report referred to was only issued within the past few weeks and the minutes of evidence and appendices have not yet been published. The Department are not in a position to make any statement at present as to the action to be taken on the recommendations in the Report.

asked whether the Local Government Board for Ireland intend to extend the Regulations contained in the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops (Ireland) Order, 1908, to the premises of all farmers who manufacture butter for sale; and, if so, will the Local Government Board, before issuing any further Order, consult with the several county agricultural committees and leading agricultural show committees in Ireland as to the air space, size, and general requirements of cowsheds?

The Local Government Board do not propose to extend the Order in the manner indicated in the question.

asked how many rural district councils there are in Ireland; in how many of these is the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops (Ireland) Order, 1908, in operation; whether he has any official information showing that the chief reason why the Order is not now in operation in all the rural district councils is because of the impracticable requirements of the Order so far as it relates to cowsheds; and whether, having regard to the fact that so many of the local authorities refuse to put the Order into operation, the Local Government Board will alter or modify the Order so as to meet all reasonable objections by the local authorities?

There are 213 district councils in Ireland, of which 129 have put the Order into operation. Its requirements have not, therefore, been found to be impracticable. The Local Government Board consulted the Department of Agriculture and invited criticisms and suggestions from local authorities before issuing the Order, and there is consequently no need for further revision.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have taken any steps to acquire the grass farms of Kilgrena, Ballyglass, county Mayo, with a view to the removal of congestion and the enlargement of the uneconomic agricultural holdings in the immediate neighbourhood?

This estate was offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and the owner will be communicated with at an early date with a view to negotiations for purchase.

asked whether Sir Roger Palmer has refused to sell his county Mayo estate to the tenants upon reasonable terms; and whether, having regard to the number of uneconomic holdings on this estate, the Congested Districts Board will take prompt steps to have it acquired compulsorily, in accordance with the request of the tenants?

The Congested Districts Board understand that the owner is willing to negotiate for the sale of this estate and they hope to re-open negotiations at an early date.

asked when the Congested Districts Board first opened negotiations with the landlord for the purchase of the estate of the Marquess of Sligo in West Mayo, and with what result; is he aware that the tenants have since made several unsuccessful attempts to induce the landlord to sell the property to them upon reasonable terms; and whether, having regard to the congested condition of many portions of the estate and the amount of untenanted land which it contains, the Board will take prompt steps to have the estate acquired compulsorily, in accordance with the request addressed to them by the tenants?

Inquiries and negotiations with reference to two separate sections of this estate have taken place at various times since the year 1897 without any definite result. The Congested Districts Board hope to be in a position to reopen negotiations within the next fortnight. Pending such negotiations no further statement can be made at present.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have taken any, and, if so, what, steps for the acquiring of the untenanted lands of Garrylawn, Owens estate, Galmoy, county Kilkenny; is he aware that a number of evicted tenants and others, who are legally entitled to portions thereof, reside in this district; did the Estates Commissioners' inspector visit those lands with a view to the sale and purchase; if so, what price was the owner offered; is the estate at present set on the eleven months' system; and did the eleven months' tenants negotiate with the owner for the purchase of those lands after the Commissioners had failed to purchase?

The Estates Commissioners cannot find that any proceedings for the sale of this estate are pending before them, and they have no information as to the matters referred to in the concluding part of the question.

asked whether Mr. Thomas Montague, recently appointed a justice of the peace for county Tyrone by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was in October last arrested by the police at Beragh on a charge of being drunk in charge of a horse and cart, was detained in the police lock-up, and subsequently prosecuted and fined at Sixmilecross Petty Sessions for the offence; who recommended Mr. Montague as a suitable person to be appointed a justice of the peace; was the Lord Chancellor made aware of the recent conviction; and is Sixmilecross Petty Sessions, at which he was convicted, one of the courts in which he is to act as a justice?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that he was not aware at the time of Mr. Montague's appointment that I he had been charged with insobriety, but it appears from inquiries now made that he was fined as stated in the question. Mr. Montague's attendance at Petty Sessions is limited to Ballygawley. The Lord Chancellor does not consider it desirable to make a practice of stating the sources from which applications for appointment to the Magistracy have reached him in individual cases other than those recommended to him by the Lieutenant of the county.

asked how many witnesses were summoned by the Crown to petty sessions and assizes respectively in the case of alleged riot and assault, the King versus Simpson and others, tried at the last Omagh Assizes; how many of these were examined for the prosecution at each hearing; what were the total sums for expenses allowed respectively to the witnesses examined for the prosecution at each hearing, and to those so summoned but not examined; what official fixed the amounts, and on whose instructions; and whether steps will be taken to have the expenses of those so summoned but not examined for the prosecution paid at the same rate as those who were examined for the prosecution?

I understand that eleven witnesses were summoned by the Crown to petty sessions, and thirty to assizes in this case. The thirty witnesses summoned to assizes included twenty summoned for the defence. Nine witnesses were examined for the prosecution at each hearing. The total amount allowed to witnesses examined for the prosecution was £5 11s. at petty sessions, and £34 19s. 6d. at assizes. No expenses were paid to witnesses summoned, but not examined at petty sessions. The total amount paid to witnesses summoned to the assizes but not examined for the prosecution was £26 18s. The Crown Solicitor fixes the amounts to be paid in accordance with the Treasury scale. It is not proposed to interfere with his discretion, or to increase the amounts allowed to witnesses.

asked whether Thomas Moore, son and representative of James Moore, Monamanry, Luggacurren, an evicted tenant under the Plan of Campaign, whose holding consisted of fifty acres, is still unprovided for; whether his attention has been directed to the fact that it was repeatedly stated in Debate, when the Land Purchase Bill of 1903 was before Parliament, that one of the objects of the Government was to settle the land question where the land war existed; and whether, in view of such expressed intention and Thomas Moore's undoubted claim, the Estates Commissioners will, without delay, take steps to provide Thomas Moore with an equivalent holding?

I understand that Moore's former holding comprised about forty-three acres at a rent of £22 10s. The Estates Commissioners offered to provide him with a holding of fifty-one acres, subject to a purchase annuity of £23 10s. but he refused to accept their offer, and they decided not to take any further action in his case.

asked if any arrangement has been come to between the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board in respect to the handling and settlement of the following estates in the neighbourhood of Loughrea, namely, Burton Persse's estate, Rathreddy; Mr. Patt M'Merney's estate, Kill Island, Close-token; Earl of Westmeath's estate, Earls-park; representatives of Mrs. Gowing's estate, Dartfield, Kilrickle; Captain Burke's estate, Ballydoogan; Mr. Daly's estate, Holly Hill; Master Courtney's estate, Fishpond, Kilchreest; Colonel Daly's estate, Shragheen, Benmore; Mr. Moriarty's estate, Bullaun; Miss Dolphin's estate, Cross, Benmore; and can he indicate when steps will be taken to settle these estates?

The Gowing estate has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners, and Master Courtenay's estate is being sold direct to the tenants. Mr. Daly's estate and Mr. Moriarty's estate cannot be identified from the particulars given in the question as pending for sale before the Commissioners, and as regards the other estates, the Commissioners are not in a position to make any statement at present.

Do I understand from the reply that these estates are being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners at the present time?

The Commissioners are not at present in a position to make any statement. They are under their consideration.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners will reconsider the case of Bartholomew Coleman, evicted tenant of Kinsale, county Cork, and provide him with a parcel of land in lieu of that from which he was evicted, this being at present occupied and not available for reinstatement?

The Estates Commissioners have decided, after inquiry, to take no action in this case.