§ MR. MAGUIREasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, When the Bill for improving the condition of Irish labourers would be brought in?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, he had some difficulty in answering the hon. Gentleman's Question. If the hon. Gentleman referred in the words of his Question to a general measure for improving the condition of Irish labourers, he did not know to what Bill the hon. Gentleman referred. He could only say that no such measure had been promised by the Government, and they did not intend to bring in any measure dealing generally with the condition of the Irish labourers, which had of late greatly improved without the aid of Legislative interference. He imagined, however, that what his hon. Friend referred to was a measure for the improvement of Irish labourers' dwellings—a subject which had long engaged the attention of the Government. They had, however, encountered the greatest difficulty in framing a measure which would have any effect and not be open to very grave objection. He trusted to be able shortly to bring in a Bill to extend the operation of Sir William Somerville's Act. He was unable to say what day he should be able to introduce the Bill; but he hoped the delay would not be a long one.