§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)said, he wished to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, If the Government had yet come to a conclusion on the question of granting a City Charter to Belfast? The Government had already received evidence of the undoubted claims of Belfast to the title of City.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)said, no doubt the hon. Gentleman was perfectly right as to the claims of Belfast to a Charter of Constitution as a City, but there were a hundred difficulties in the way of granting it. No decision had yet been arrived at; but he would take care that the matter was pushed forward as speedily as possible.
§ MR. SEXTONWill the Government arrive at a decision before the Session ends?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am afraid not.
§
Resolution agreed to.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to apply a sum out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the year ending on the
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thirty-first day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Session of Parliament, and that Mr. Courtney, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Jackson do prepare and bring it in.
Bill presented, and read the first time.