§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury how soon he expects to be in a position to say whether the Irish treason-felony prisoners will be released by the clemency of the Crown, or before the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty's reign?
§ MR. MICHAEL DAVITT (Mayo, S.)Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to that Question, I desire to ask him whether it is not the invariable custom among the civilised nations to exercise clemency on happy occasions of this kind towards political offenders?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I do not know bow far it is the practice among European nations to celebrate happy events in the manner suggested by the hon. Gentleman. But whilst not desiring to commit myself to any judgment as to whether it is a 1266 wise course or the reverse, I do not think the time has arrived for the consideration of the matter.
§ MR. DAVITTWill the right hon. Gentleman say when the time will arrive for its consideration?
§ [No reply was given.]