§ MR. MACARTNEYsaid, he would beg to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Attorney General for Ireland at what period of time it was communicated to the Chief Commissioner of the Incumbered Estates Court in Ireland that his duties were to cease previous to the 1st day of November last; and to the other Commissioners, that they were to undertake and dispose of all matters hitherto in said Chief Commissioner's Court from the time of his retirement? He would also beg to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether he was prepared to bring in a Bill in accordance with the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, for improving and altering the business of the Court of Chancery in Ireland?
MR. FITZGERALDsaid, that with referenee to the first question he could give no reply, as he had not received an answer 218 from Ireland to a letter requiring information on the subject. With respect to the second question, it would doubtless be within the recollection of the House that the constitution of the Court of Chancery in Ireland had been subjected to considerable modifications, with the view of making it discharge some of the most important functions of the Incumbered Estates Court. He believed that many of the new powers given to it would be found beneficial. In the meantine, the Incumbered Estates Court would be continued till the 28th of July, 1858, and an opportunity would be thus afforded of testing the manner in which it had discharged its new powers. It was not the intention of the Government, during the present Session, to introduce any measure for improving and altering the business of the Court of Chancery in Ireland.