§ MR. D. H. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he has had his attention called to the correspondence that has recently taken place in the press with regard to a Royal Residence in Ireland; and, whether he will, during the Recess, consider the advisability of next Session abolishing the office of Viceroy of Ireland, of substituting in its place a Secretaryship of State for Ireland, and of establishing a Royal Residence in that country on a fitting and substantial scale?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I have never made any secret of my own doubts as to whether the existing system of governing Ireland by the Lord Lieutenancy is the best that could be devised, but I cannot promise my hon. Friend legislation on the subject for next year. No change can take place without legislation, and it will be impossible to promise any such legislation having regard to the pledges we have already given as to the expenditure of public time in the forthcoming Session of Parliament.
§ MR. DAVITTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Nationalist feeling in Ireland is strongly opposed to the 106 idea of a Royal Residence in that country?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYNo, I am not aware of that. [Ministerial cheers.]
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman allow the Question to stand over till next General Election when we will soon show—
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!