§ SIR CHARLES LEWIS (Antrim, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is still the case that the Labourers' Dwelling Acts (Ireland) are practically a dead letter throughout the whole of the province of Ulster; whether he is aware that this state of 122 things has caused widespread discontent throughout that district largely peopled with agricultural labourers; whether, considering the repeated legislation in the interest of the farmers, the wants and appeals for remedial legislation by the real tillers of the soil are not worthy of early attention; and, whether, in any future land legislation, the Government may hereafter undertake, the case and condition of the labourers will be provided for?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is the case that in Ulster the persons who have power to originate proceedings under the Labourers' Acts have not evinced much desire to do so. The Local Government Board have no information before them showing that this has caused widespread discontent. My hon. Friend will see that it is not possible for the Government to give any pledge with regard to the character of future legislation which it may be their duty to introduce. But I can assure him that we have every desire to promote the real interests of every class in the community.