§ Lord Monteaglewished to put a question to his noble Friend opposite (the Earl of Devon) on a subject which deeply interested the public generally, but which more especially interested the public in Ireland. He alluded to the proceedings of the Commission appointed to inquire into the Occupation and Tenure of Land in Ireland. He entertained no distrust of his noble Friend; he believed that the greatest credit was due to him for the energy and diligence with which he had prosecuted the objects of the inquiry, and he should be very glad to hear from him, if he were at liberty to make any communication on the subject, what progress had now been made in the inquiry, and when it was likely the result of the labours of the Commissioners would be made public?
§ The Earl of Devonhad no difficulty in answering the question, nor was he sorry that such an opportunity was afforded him of explaining why he was then present in Parliament, instead of proceeding with the investigation in Ireland. He had made arrangements to go to Dublin for the pur- 434 pose of collecting further evidence, and had intended being in Dublin at the present time; but a few days since he had received a subpœna from the Court of Queen's Bench commanding him to attend as a witness in a criminal case at the next Devonshire Assizes. He had endeavoured to get the evidence which he should have to give made matter of admission; but the defendant considered it essential to the case that he should be examined personally; and he was afraid that he should be detained in England till the trial was over. His colleagues were, however, empowered to proceed with the inquiry during his absence, and they had consented to do so; no delay, therefore, would take place in consequence of his detention in this country. He was not sorry that he had the opportunity of stating that he was not idly or unnecessarily neglecting his public duty. It was generally supposed, although the supposition was incorrect, that the only business of the Commission was to collect evidence. That was, indeed, a most important part of their duty; but, any persons who took upon themselves the responsibility of offering suggestions as to any proposed change in the existing law should make themselves acquainted with that law; and, therefore, a not unimportant part of the duties of the Commissioners was to digest the information on the subject of the relations between Landlord and Tenant which was already accessible to the public. The labours of the Commission would be prosecuted with as little delay as possible.