§ MR. CHARLEYsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, as the General Convention of the Church, of Ireland, summoned in pursuance of a legislative enactment promoted by the Government last Session, will meet in Dublin for the first time on Tuesday next, the 15th instant, he will so arrange the Business of the House, that important measures, and especially important measures affecting Ireland, promoted by the Government this Session, may not be discussed in the absence of the Members of Parliament—including several English, and nearly all the Irish Conservative Members—whose duty it will be to attend the first Meeting of the General Convention of the Church of Ireland?
MR. GLADSTONEWith regard to the Question which the hon. Member has put to me, I observe that in the latter clause of it he has laid down the rather stringent rule of obligation, that it is the duty of all the Conservative Members for Ireland not to attend the General Convention merely, but to attend the first meeting of the Convention. Now, even in the meetings of this House, we do not always succeed in procuring the attendance of all Members on the first day. But, seriously, I think there will be a disposition on the part of the Government to prevent any practical inconvenience. It will not be possible that we should decline to introduce the Irish Land Bill until after that time But if the Irish Bill can be introduced on Tuesday next, I shall hope to be able to fix the day for the second reading of that Bill, with the assent of the House, at such a period as will allow the interval necessary to enable Members of the House to discharge any duties they may have in connection with the Convention of the Church of Ireland.