The EARL of LINCOLNwished to ask 1196 the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland a question with reference to some Bills relating to that country. The noble Lord had stated what course it was the intention of the Government to pursue with reference to those three Bills which related to the law of landlord and tenant in Ireland, and he had further stated that the right hon. Gentleman would be ready to give an explanation as to other Bills relating to Ireland. There was one Bill with respect to which, notwithstanding the lateness of the Session, it was, he thought, of some importance that the right hon. Gentleman should state the intentions of the Government—that was the Valuation of Rateable Property (Ireland) Bill. The right hon. Gentleman was, he believed, aware that a Bill upon that subject had passed through the House of Commons last year, and was thrown out in the House of Lords. During the time that he held office, he had endeavoured to reconcile those difficulties that had led to its rejection; and he believed that his efforts had been successful. He had every reason to believe that if the Bill which he had prepared were pressed forward by the present Government, it would become the law of the land without any of the difficulties to which he had adverted intervening. He might add, that great convenience would result to the country if that Bill were passed. He should be glad, then, to know whether it were the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to proceed with that Bill.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREwas much obliged to the noble Lord for giving him an opportunity of explaining the intentions of Her Majesty's Government with respect to a Bill which was one of great importance, and one which he was aware the noble Lord had given his best attention to in drawing up, which, therefore, ought not to be dropped without bringing it before the House. He was happy, then, to assure the noble Lord that it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to proceed with that Bill, which was a most useful and important Bill. There were many other subjects of legislation relating to Ireland, with regard to which he might take that opportunity of stating the intentions of the Government—he referred to the Bills which had been introduced by the noble Lord. First, there was the Ejectment and Distress Bill: they intended to proceed with that; aad next with the Leases (Ireland) Bill. They would, however, introduce some modifications into that Bill. Next 1197 they would proceed with the Rateable Property Bill, which was the measure to which the noble Lord had just referred; and also with another which was called the Mandamus and Prohibition Bill. The fifth measure with which they would proceed was the Exclusive Trading Privileges Bill. With regard to that Bill, perhaps it was convenient that he should say he was inclined entirely to agree with the principle of it; but upon attentive consideration which he had given to the subject, he fonnd there was a grave objection to the manner in which the noble Lord proposed to carry that principle into effect. He (Mr. Labouchere), then, proposed not to withdraw the Bill, but to introduce another Bill which would not be liable to the same objection which attached to the Bill of the noble Lord. At all events, as they had the same common object in view, the two Bills would be before the House together; and he was sure, from the manner in which the noble Lord had assisted him with respect to the Irish business, they would find no difficulty in discussing those two Bills together; and the House could determine which was the better of the two courses proposed in order to carry the object in view into effect. With regard to the Landlords and Tenants Bill, his noble Friend had already stated that it was a matter of such great importance, that although they entirely agreed as to the main principle of the Bill, yet there were such difficulties about the machinery by which the noble Lord proposed to carry the principle into effect, and he also had such doubts even about the manner in which the principle was introduced into the Bill, that he was led to take a few days to consider before he announced the intentions of the Government with respect to it. As to the Clerks of the Crown Bill, he would also state in a few days what course the Government intended to pursue relative to it. With respect to the rest of the Irish business for the Session, his noble Friend had already stated that upon the very important subject of waste lands they were considering whether, late as the period of the Session was, they ought not to consider it to be their duty to propose some measure to facilitate the introduction into Ireland of some scheme with regard to that important subject. If upon any other subject relating to Ireland it might be thought right to introduce any other measure, his present declaration was not to be taken as precluding the Government from 1198 so doing. He trusted he had satisfied the noble Lord with respect to those Bills of which he had had the conduct.