asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state why the lands known as Ballyconnelly Deed, Stewart Barn Estate, Raye, Co. Donegal, have not come under the provision of the Land Act, 1923.

The lands referred to by the Deputy are not on the Stewart Bam Estate but on the Estate of Captain C.F. Stewart and have not been returned on the Schedules of Particulars lodged in the Land Commission Office in connection with the latter as it is alleged that they are held under leases and were lands to which the Land Act, 1923, did not apply. The Land Commission have recently asked the agent of the Estate to furnish them with evidence of the tenure of the occupiers of the lands.

Am I to take it there are certain lands on this estate held under leases and that the Land Act of 1923 does not apply to them?

We do not know yet until we have completed our inquiries.

If that is so, it appears to me the Land Act of 1923 is defective and should be amended.

I think I made it perfectly clear in my reply that these lands were not returned by the owners and that at the moment the Land Commission is engaged in an investigation as to the nature of the tenure under which the lands are held.

Why is it they were not?

I cannot answer that question until I get information.

Is it not compulsory under the Land Act of 1923 that all returns should be made to the Land Commission?