HC Deb 31 May 1897 vol 49 cc1635-6
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the declared intention of the Government to introduce a Local Government Bill for Ireland next Session, and the consequent financial relief to landlords, the Government will proceed with the appointment of the proposed Commission to inquire into the fixing of rents by the Land Commission?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I do not think that the two subjects alluded to by the hon. Gentleman in this Question are germane the one to the other; or that the policy of the Government in connection with one would be modified by their policy in connection with the other.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I should like to ask, seeing the desire to relieve the irritation the landlords feel because their rents are reduced, whether, as they are getting money under the proposed Bill, the right hon. Gentleman thinks it necessary to hold a blunderbuss, in the shape of a Committee, in the face of the Land Commissioners? ["Order !"]