MR. J. MORLEY,in asking leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the Supply of Seed Potatoes to Occupiers arid Cultivators of Land in Ireland, said: Only one sentence will be necessary in asking the House to give me leave to introduce this Bill. I explained the other evening the 971 general objects on which I am engaged to meet the distress in Ireland. I need only say now that this Bill is a copy of the Bill of 1890 introduced by the right hon. Gentleman opposite, with the comparatively unimportant alteration that we do not give power to enable the Local Government Board to carry the Act into execution in cases where Guardians make default, or do not choose to apply for a loan. We propose to insert two clauses, one of which will have the effect of providing for the repayment of loans made before the Bill becomes law, and the other for validating proceedings taken before that time.
§ MR. T. SEXTONasked whether the right hon. Gentleman would have any objection to amend the title of the Bill so as to make it apply not only to seed, but to oats, &c., and also whether he adhered to the period of two years for repayment.
MR. J. MORLEYI propose to retain the period of two years. On the Second Reading I shall be able to give my hon. Friend an answer to the argument he used the other night, and to tell him the views of the Government upon his proposal. I feel great difficulty in changing the title of the Bill, because the experience gained on former occasions shows that the objections to widening the scope of Bills of this character are found to be very serious. Therefore, I do not think it would be wise to make any alteration in the title of the Bill.
§ MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY rose.
§ MR. BARTLEYI only wish to say a word.
§ MR. BARTLEYAm I right in objecting to the Bill being gone on with?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKERUnder the Standing Order no objection can, I think, be taken to a Bill at this stage?
§ Leave given.
§ Bill brought in and read 1°.