§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, as two weeks (sitting from day to day except Wednesday) have now been occupied with the Committee stage of the Irish Land Bills, and only one clause of the first Bill (out of 58 clauses) has been passed, he will consider the question of naming a day to report these Bills, so as to secure the ending of the Session in July?
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)also put a question upon the subject.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am aware of the very serious delay that has taken place in the Committee stage of the Irish Land Purchase Bill, but I trust that the good sense and feeling of the House will enable such progress to be made as will make it unnecessary for the Government to adopt the extreme course proposed by the hon. Member.
§ MR. J. M0RLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)After what hour will the Land Bill be not taken to-night? I see that it is down on the Orders.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHNot after 11 o'clock.
§ MR. SEXTONI presume that the right hon. Gentleman gives no countenance to the suggestion that a day should be named for reporting the Bill?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHNo, Sir.