HC Deb 04 March 1887 vol 311 cc1273-4
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he can indicate the probable period when the Government propose to give legislative effect to the Report of Lord Cowper's Commission on the Irish Land Question, or do they intend to act on all, or how many, of its recommendations; and, do the Government propose to proceed first with the Land Bill or a Coercion Bill?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

Her Majesty's Government are fully alive to the urgent necessity of legislation for Ireland; but they adhere to the view they have expressed—that the changes in the Rules of Procedure which are under consideration are essential to any effective legislation in this House. My answer, therefore, to the hon. and learned Gentleman is that if he, and the hon. Gentlemen who act with him, would co-operate with us in arriving at a conclusion on that matter, I should then be in a position to state to the House when the Government will make their proposals to Parliament, and what the nature of those proposals will be.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give an answer to the latter portion of my Question—Do the Government propose to proceed first with the Land Bill or a Coercion Bill?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I think I have already answered that Question by saying that when we are in a position to proceed with Business at all, we will state frankly and boldly to the House what our proposals will be on all the subjects with which we intend to deal.