§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)said, that notwithstanding the pledges given by the First Lord of the Treasury last night that the Chief Secretary for Ireland would be in his place to answer any Question in relation to the Municipal Corporations Act3 (Ireland) Amendment (No. 2) Bill, when the Bill came on last night the Chief Secretary and the First Lord of the Treasury disappeared from the House just before the Motion was made that the Speaker do leave the Chair. There was no one present to answer any Question; and, therefore, the stage of the Bill was taken without any guarantee from the Government that the principle of the Bill would be extended to all Ireland.
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I was not really aware of the Bill coming on last night, as the hour was so late; but I was under the impression that the Chief Secretary was in his place when I left the House.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYHe was; but he ran away.