HC Deb 03 June 1880 vol 252 cc1083-4
THE O'DONOGHUE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether there is any chance of our reaching the Borough Franchise (Ireland) Bill this evening; and, if not, if he will say on what day that Bill is likely to come on?

MR. PLUNKET

At the same, I would wish to ask, When it is likely that the second reading of the Relief of Distress (Ireland) Bill will be taken?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

With regard to the Borough Franchise (Ireland) Bill, if I can see that I can bring it on tomorrow before 11 o'clock I will ask the House to allow me to do so. If, however, as I am afraid will be the case, it will be impossible to bring it on to-morrow, I will put it down for this day week. As regards the Relief of Distress (Ireland) Bill, I had hoped to have bad it in the hands of Members to-morrow; but I find it impossible that it can be with them until Monday morning, and therefore I cannot do as I intended to have done—that is, to take the second reading to-morrow. I propose, therefore, to take it on Monday. There can be no doubt about the principle of the Bill. It must be passed as soon as possible, in order to meet the present circumstances of Ireland; and I trust I shall be allowed to take the second reading late in the evening, on the ground that the clauses can be amended, if desirable, in Committee.