§ MR. J. HOWARDsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to rely upon the operation of Clause 40 (Irish Land Bill) for the reclamation of the water-logged valleys and the waste lands of Ireland; or whether, with a view to the speedy reclamation of such lands and the employment of the surplus population, the Government will bring in a comprehensive measure for the accomplishment of these objects?
MR. GLADSTONEreplied that the Government did look to the operation of the 40th clause, as at present advised, for promoting the reclamation of waste lands in Ireland. Water-logged valleys stood in a different position, and the clause in its present shape would not make any adequate provision for their reclamation. The matter was one, however, which might very properly form the subject of future consideration.