§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe hon. Member for West Surrey (Mr. Brodrick) asked me late last evening what course Her Majesty's Government intended to take with regard to the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Bill proposed by the hon. Member for Mayo (Mr, O'Connor Power). I promised to answer the Question next Thursday, but it may be to the convenience of the House that I should at once state that we cannot assent to its second reading; but that, in consequence of the distress prevailing in some parts of Ireland, we shall think it right to ask Parliament to enlarge for a time—that is, until the end of the year 1881—the discretionary power of the County Court Judge, so that he may, under certain circumstances, give compensation to tenants in certain districts who are ejected for non-payment of rent. For that purpose I shall propose a new clause in the Belief of Distress (Ireland) Bill now before the House. I shall put this clause on the Table to-night, together with a Schedule of the districts to which it will apply. I may add that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wishes me to take this opportunity of stating that he will forthwith advise Her Majesty to appoint a small Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the Irish Land Act of 1870.
§ LORD ELCHOin consequence of the statement made by the Chief Secretary for Ireland, I wish to ask the hon. Member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ritchie), as a Member of the Royal Commission on Agriculture, Whether it is or is not the case that, at the close of the present week, the Members of the Commission intend to proceed to Dublin, for the purpose of making inquiries in regard to 76 the state of the Land Question in Ire-land, and whether the matter to which the Chief Secretary has alluded does not form part of the subject which the Commission has to investigate? ["Order, order !"]
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid, that as the noble Lord had not given him Notice of the Question, he was not prepared to give to it a definite answer.
§ MR. SPEAKERpointed out, that it was irregular to put Questions to Members, not being Ministers of the Crown, in relation to Business which was not before the House.
MR. O'CONNOR POWERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether, on the day set apart for the debate on the second reading of my Bill, he will be able to state the objections which the Government entertain to that measure?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERCertainly.
§ LORD ELCHOI thought I was in Order just now, and I apologise for my interposition. I desire to give Notice that, on Thursday, I will ask the Prime Minister the Question which I put to the hon. Member for the Tower Hamlets.