HC Deb 25 February 1895 vol 30 cc1551-2

Bill re-considered in Committee.

Mr. JOHN ELLIS in the Chair.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1.

MR. T. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)

said that he regretted the Chief Secretary's enforced absence. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman in charge of the Bill (Mr. G. Russell) would say whether the Government had considered the point raised upon the Second Reading with respect to the period to be allotted for the repayment of loans. He believed that the Government were disposed to meet the suggestion that the period of two year was too short.

MR. GEORGE RUSSELL (Bedfordshire, N.)

said that the hon. Gentleman gave him more honour than he was entitled to. He was not in charge of the Bill. His committee, with respect to Irish affairs, was exhausted in answering questions that afternoon, and he could give no assurances with respect to the Bill.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

said that it was obviously difficult to go on with the Bill in Committee in the regretable absence of the Chief Secretary. He thought that the Bill ought to be passed as soon as possible; but he understood that the work which the Bill contemplated was going forward, and that no injury would result from waiting for the Chief Secretary's return.

MR. SEXTON

suggested that clauses 1 to 5 should be agreed to, and that clause 6 should be held over.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

said, that he had points to raise on those clauses. He moved, therefore, that Progress should be reported.

Motion agreed to.