§ MR. HEALYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the scheme of reform in the Irish Board of Works will be laid before the House before the Land Bill passes, so that an opportunity for discussing it may arise?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHIt is not intended to propose during the present Session any new scheme of reform in the Irish Board of Works. Many of the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry in 1878 have already been carried into effect. Other important questions connected with the functions of the Board have been under the careful consideration of the Government; but the present is not considered to be a favourable time for dealing with them. The Laud Law (Ireland) Bill relieves the Board of one large portion of its duties by transferring to the Land Commission all its powers relating to the purchase by tenants of their holdings. On the other hand, some of the other provisions of the Bill will increase the work of the Board. Until the effect of these changes is ascertained, it is not deemed expedient to make further changes in the constitution of the Board.