§ MR. LEWIS (Londonderry)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government intend to ask the House to renew the Arms Act (Ireland) which expires on the 1st June next; and, whether such Bill will be introduced so as to give a prospect of its being passed into Law before the 1st June? He wished to add, if the House, would allow him to do so, whether, supposing the Government renew the Act, will it be a new Act or merely a continuance of the old Act, and also for what time it will run?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I have a Notice on the Paper to-day, for leave to bring in a Bill this evening for a further renewal, for a limited period, of the Peace Preservation Act of 1881. On the Motion that "Leave be given," I should not propose to make a speech. The Bill is a very short one, and should I obtain leave, I propose, of course, with the consent of hon. Gentlemen from Ireland both above and below the Gangway, to put down the second reading of the Bill so early as Thursday. The Bill is one of only two clauses, and I think it should become law before the 1st of June.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)asked, whether, in the first instance, there was a reason why no statement would be made as to why the Bill was proposed to be introduced; and, secondly, considering the fact that a number of Irish Members were absent, the Chief Secretary would consent to take the second reading not earlier than Monday next?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYI should have preferred to make no statement until the second reading. If hon. Gentlemen above and below the Gangway think it too early if I put down the 270 second reading on Thursday, I will postpone it to Monday.