§ MR. NEWDEGATEwished to ask the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury whether it was his intention to introduce a Bill to afford facilities for draining estates, and for consolidating the highway expenditure? Also, whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to provide for the payment of the schoolmasters of union workhouses, and for the Irish constabulary force, these being the measures which the right hon. Gentleman announced at the commencement of the Session as forming part of the five measures he intended to propose for the consideration of the House, upon the subject of legislation for Ireland?
§ SIR R. PEELsaid, that with respect to the last two points to which the hon. Gentleman had adverted, namely, a provision for the payment of schoolmasters of union workhouses, and for defraying, at the public charge, the expenses of the constabulary in Ireland, provision must be made for these in a Committee of Supply. It would be impossible to bring in a Bill until Votes had passed such a Committee. But at an early period after a Committee had sanctioned the proposal, a Bill would be introduced upon those two subjects. With regard to the other two points—the Drainage Bill, and the Bill for consolidating the Highway Trusts—he was sure the hon. Gentleman and the House must be aware of the extreme pressure upon the time of Her Majesty's Government for a long while past. There was no intentional delay on their part. The announcement of these measures led to a great number of suggestions and communications. The Government had applied all their leisure 160 time in considering the details of these subjects, and he hoped by this day week they should be able to lay the Bills on the Table, at least he would make exertion to do so.