§ SIR EDWARD GROGANcomplained of the great accumulation of arrears of business at the Registry of Deeds Office, Dublin, and of the vexatious delays which occurred in consequence, He begged to ask the Secretary for Ireland whether he will produce a copy of the Report of the Commissioner appointed to inquire into the subject, and whether the Government intend to introduce any Bill during the present Session to obviate the delays which at present exist in performing the duties of the office?
§ MR. BERNAL OSBORNErose to order. There were several names before that of the hon. Baronet on the Notice paper, and he wished to know from the Speaker whether Members in making Motions on going into Committee of Supply were not to take precedence in the order in which they stood on the paper?
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, that the hon. Member's question was one to which he had already given a reply. The hon. Baronet the Member for Dublin on rising, as he stated, to ask a question, had caught 1425 his eye, and he did not consider the hon. Member out of order in proceeding. At the same time it was certainly a desirable course, and one to which he was anxious to adhere, that the hon. Member whose name stood first should have precedence.
§ MR. CARDWELLsaid, that the question to which the hon. Member had referred was a very important one, and the state of the registry for deeds in Ireland was such as required very careful consideration. A Commissioner had been appointed by his noble Friend who preceded him in office, and that Commissioner had visited all the various register offices. He (Mr. Cardwell) had received from him a very elaborate report, which contained, however, certain references to individuals such as rendered it not desirable to be laid on the Table of the House. The report had been returned, in order that it might have those passages of a private nature removed from it, and when it was re-delivered, if his hon. Friend would move for it, he (Mr. Cardwell) should be very happy to produce it. With regard to the question as to whether any legislation was intended on the question this year, he begged to inform his hon. Friend, that amongst those who had carefully considered the question great differences of opinion prevailed as to the best mode of effecting the important object in view; and, therefore, no legislative measures would be proposed until the Report had been well considered, both by that House and by the public of Ireland.