HC Deb 25 June 1883 vol 280 cc1423-4
MR. MITCHELL HENRY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, What significance is to be attached to the following words which fell from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on the 16th instant, in his reply to the address of congratulation from the Town Commissioners of Cavan:— ''The Government feel the importance of promptly bringing forward measures necessary for developing the prosperity of Ireland, and will not fail to consider where Parliamentary legislation is needed to effect this object; and, whether he is now in a position to give a final reply to the memorial of the Irish Liberal Members respecting industrial works, which he promised to refer for consideration and report to the Irish Government?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, I have communicated with my noble Friend the Viceroy of Ireland, and even independently of his reply to me I was perfectly prepared to explain the words he used. They were intended to signify that Her Majesty's Government, when they received a communication some months ago from several of the Irish Members, gave that communication, not merely a formal reception, but a serious practical consideration. That practical consideration is still going on, and although I am not at the present moment prepared to state the result in definite terms, yet I think that before the middle of July, or by the middle of July, I shall be able to give an answer of a definite nature to the Question of my hon. Friend.