HC Deb 18 August 1887 vol 319 cc949-50
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Was the request of the Irish Land Commissioners for information as to how a Bill should be construed in case it became law made by them on their own initiative or in response to an Executive communication; if the latter, what was the date of it and the terms; what was the date of the letter of the Land Commission; do the Government intend to follow the practice of Parliament in regard to the latter document, which necessitates the laying upon the Table of any official communication used in debate: and, is it the fact that two out of the three Land Commissioners go out of office nest year, and that their posts are in the gift of the Government of the day?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The Land Commission made no request for information as to how a Bill should be construed in case it became law. What was desired was that more specific guidance should be given to a Commission which was not required by the proposed clause to act as a Court of Law so much as a Court of Arbitration. Their request was not made in response to an Executive communication. Their letter was dated the 9th of August. There can be no objection to laying the letter on the Table of the House; though, as it was read in its entirety and is very short and simple in its terms, nothing would be gained by such a course. The statutory conditions of appointment are contained in the 41st section of the Land Act of 1881.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if the Land Commission has made any further communication on the subject of the Bill to the Government?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no further information to give the hon. and learned Member.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Are we to infer that the Government have made no communication to the Land Commission on the subject of the Bill?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no further information to give the hon. and learned Member.

MR. T. M. HEALY

May I ask the Attorney General, whether there is any precedent for Judges in Ireland applying to Her Majesty's Government for further guidance as to the construction of Statutes?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)

Of course I cannot answer such a Question.

MR. T. M. HEALY

gave Notice that he would move for copies of any Correspondence that had taken place between the Land Commission and the Government with regard to the present Irish Land Law Bill, and that he would move separately for a copy of the letter of the Land Commission which was read by the Chief Secretary a few days ago.