HC Deb 30 June 1881 vol 262 c1659
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Prime Minister, Whether the Government had yet come to any conclusion with regard to arrears of rent in Ireland; and, if so, when they would place upon the Notice Paper the Amendment or Clause by which they proposed to deal with the question?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, the question of arrears cannot be treated by us at a time arbitarily chosen, but that time must depend upon the progress made with the Land Law (Ireland) Bill; and if the hon. Member will give us that assistance which I am bound to say is in a very considerable degree in his power, we shall very speedily arrive at that part of the Bill where the question of arrears can be discussed. We are very anxious to arrive at that stage, because we know that the subject is one on which there is a good deal of just anxiety.