§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can explain the delay in presenting the Returns granted by the House last year on the subject of Trial of Prisoners; Valuations in Boroughs and Counties; and, Evidence in the Lease Clause of the Land Act?
§ MR. TREVELYANreplied, that he thought there was no avoidable delay. The Returns were ordered quite late last Session. The first two were presented on the 22nd August; but the House did not order their circulation. He thought there might be some better system of communication between private Members and the Irish Office as to Returns. The first Return was now deposited with the Librarian; the Return on Valuations was, he believed, laid on the Table to-day. The Reports of Evidence in cases under Section 21 of the Land Act would, he understood, be ready in a few days.
§ MR. HEALYsaid, he was much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for his statement, and asked the Secretary to the Treasury, who had the appointment of the Committee for printing the 441 Returns, was it the fact that private Members who obtained Returns which were not ordered to be printed by the House had to ask the Librarian, who acted for the Committee, for permission to see them, whereas the Returns obtained by Members of the Government were printed as a matter of course?
§ MR. COURTNEYOh, no; it is not a matter of course at all. It is a matter of discretion.