§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the Sunday Closing Acts (Ireland)."—(Mr. A. J. Balfour.)
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)said, he did not wish to object to the appointment of this Committee; but he desired that timely Notice should be given of the Members nominated, in order that the constitution of the Committee might meet the wishes of both sides. It was a very vexed question, and the investigation must take a good deal of time. He would ask the Chief Secretary not to move the appointment of the Members of the Committee for three weeks after giving Notice of the names, and then to allow three weeks to elapse before beginning the inquiry. The subject would require much investigation, and the fetching over of many witnesses from Ireland.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)said, he could quite understand that such inquiry would require time and so forth before its commencement. The nomination would take place in the usual course; but he would take care the Committee should not sit for a fortnight after that.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORhoped it would be extended to three weeks.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, that was a rather long interval.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the Sunday Closing Act.