§ MR. S. CRAWFORDwished to put a question to the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury, and he trusted the right hon. Gentleman would not think he was too pressing in bringing it forward at this early period of the Session. He wished to know what measures they were to expect for the amelioration of Ireland, and more particularly whether they might expect that any measure would be introduced during the present Session to carry out the recommendation of the Land Commission on the subject of the law of landlord and tenant. The objects to which he would especially refer the right hon. Gentleman as having been suggested by the Commission were—1st, the amendment of the laws of distress; 2nd, the amendment of the laws of ejectment; 3rd, compensation to tenants for improvements; 4th, commutation of lives renewable for ever into perpetuities; and 5th, powers of leasing to be given under certain limitations to tenants for life, and corporations. He should like to hear from the right hon. Gentleman some intimation as to whether measures for the promotion of these objects, or any of them, were to be brought forward in the course of the present Session.
§ SIR R. PEELI think the hon. Gentleman, particularly from the deep interest he has taken in the subject to which he has referred, and from the noble example he has set as a landlord in Ireland, is fully entitled to put these questions. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this subject has occupied much of the attention of Her Majesty's Government, and he is himself aware what has been our chief occupation since the meeting of Parliament, and also of the disadvantage which for a time was experienced in consequence of a change in 1197 the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland. Unfortunately, my noble Friend who holds that office has been disabled from attending on the House, and paying that attention to his duties which he wished; but, in all likelihood, he will be able to attend in his place in a few days, probably before the Whitsuntide holidays, when he will announce the nature of the measures which the Government intend to bring before the House. In the meantime I may state, that my noble Friend will bring under the consideration of the House three measures based on the recommendations of the Landlord and Tenant Commission. I think it would be improper for me to enter into any detail as to those measures; but I may state their general objects to be—a Bill for making compensation to tenants for improvements made by them—a Bill for amending the law as to ejectments and distresses—and, thirdly, a Bill prescribing a short form of lease, and reducing the stamp duties thereon. Before I move the adjournment for the Whitsuntide holidays, an early day will be named for bringing those measures before the House.