§ SIR ARTHUR GUINNESSasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it is his intention to introduce a Bill for the improvement of the Jury System of Ireland 475 during this Session; and, if so, at what date?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, in reply, said, he was fully aware of the necessity for legislation upon this subject. For some months past a Bill had been drafted which was intended to carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee of last Session, and he had hoped to have introduced it before Easter. It had, however, occurred to him that it would not be advisable to place the Bill upon the Table without some prospect of a fair chance of proceeding with it. He had also felt that one important measure for Ireland at a time was enough. He still hoped to introduce the Bill during the present Session; but, looking at the state of Public Business and of the Notice Paper, his hope was not so sanguine on the point as it had been. Whether the greater question was or was not dealt with, it would be necessary to pass a short Bill similar to that of last Session, for the purpose of continuing for another year the existing Law on the subject.