§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he is aware that the Committee on the Labourers (Ireland) Act, appointed last Session, reported in favour of its reappointment; whether, owing to the defective machinery of the Act, not a single house has yet been completed under the Act; whether the expectation of further legislation has brought operations under the Act almost to a complete standstill over the greater part of Ireland; and, whether, under these 796 circumstances, he will cause a Motion for the immediate reappointment of the Committee?
MR. GLADSTONEIn replying to this Question, I must not be understood to confirm what is stated in the second and third paragraphs—that it is owing to the defective machinery of the Act that the proceedings under it have been brought to a standstill. The state of the case as to Committees is that it will be inconvenient to the House to take up any question which is new, and which will be likely to lead to an extended debate. But there are three Committees which are not new, and which are not likely to lead to any difference of opinion. With respect to these I will not ask the House to exclude the consideration. This is not a new one, and it is one in which considerable interest is felt. Consequently, I think that it is one which might fairly be dealt with in the present Session. I am bound to add that if, when the Motion is made for the appointment of the Committee, there should arise any lengthened debate, I cannot undertake to give any great amount of time for that purpose. Subject to that reservation, we are quite willing to accede to its appointment.