§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is it true that the Government intend to accept the proposal of the Member for South Tyrone (Mr. T. W. Russell) with regard to the status of the Purchase Commissioners, or any modification thereof?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. and learned Gentleman will probably agree 1774 with me that it is not desirable to state the intentions of the Government in regard to those portions of the Land Purchase Bill which have still to be brought forward.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYOf course I agree with that as a general rule, but this is a matter which will seriously affect the attitude of the Irish Members. The statement has been made that the Amendment, of which the hon. Member for South Tyrone has given notice, has been put down as a kind of official Amendment.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)As a reference has been made to me it is right I should state that I have had no conversation with the Government on the matter, either directly or indirectly.