§ MR. PARNELLasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will afford the House an opportunity of considering and expressing an opinion upon the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill by giving a day for the Motion for its Second Reading?
MR. GLADSTONESir, I suppose the meaning of this Question, which is rather vague in its phraseology, is, whether it is in our power to say that part of that portion of the time of the House appropriated to Government Business should be put aside in order to allow time for the consideration of the second reading of this Bill. I am sorry to say that there is such an extreme pressure on the Business of the Government at the present period of the Session, that it is wholly impossible for me to entertain the idea of parting with the time which we desire to turn to the best account. I hope that the hon. Member, considering that half of the time of the House is at the command of individual Members, will be able to do as others have done, and find an opportunity of discussing his Bill in the time at the disposal of private Members. At the same time I must say that I can only hope so; but I think it is very desirable it should be so, and I shall use every means in my power to bring the measure before the House. I think it is a subject which it is very desirable the House should have an opportunity of discussing. I cannot say what may be the state of the Government Business later on in the Session, nor can I venture to give any pledge with reference to any period which will be some time hence; but I shall express a desire that if it becomes impossible through other means, and in default of any opportunity to get a day for the discussion of this Bill, we should be happy to try and do so. I may say that 1200 the present state of Business does not allow me to hold out any hope of being able to give a day to the Bill.