§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the Irish Land Department Bill cannot be proceeded 1311 with during the present Session, he will consider the propriety of embodying Clause 29 of that measure, which deals with long and perpetuity leaseholders, as a separate Bill, and so securing its passage this Session?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am afraid it is true that the chance of passing the Land Department Bill this Session is very small, and it is also true, I believe, that it would not be in order to introduce Clause 29 of that measure into the Land Purchase Bill as an Amendment designed to give relief to long and perpetuity leaseholders. But I cannot undertake to introduce a separate Bill embodying Clause 29 of the Land Department Bill unless I could be assured that it would meet with general acceptance.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLAs far as I can judge, there is nobody on this side of the House who would oppose such a measure. The Irish Members are unanimous in holding that a clause of this kind ought to be passed.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe point is whether there would be any opposition to the proposed Bill from any quarter of the House. If the hon. Member can give me an assurance that from no quarter of the House will there be opposition I will consider the matter.
§ MR. SEXTONMay I ask you, Sir, whether it would be out of order to move that the clause be introduced into the Land Purchase Bill?
§ MR. SPEAKERAs the Committee stage has now been closed, I cannot give an opinion before the question is raised as a point of order on the Land Bill itself.