§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that there are four separate Bills before the House seeking to stop for a limited period the issue of new licences in Ireland, and that the names on these Bills represent all shades of Irish opinion; and whether, in view of the present circumstances in Ireland, and the practically unanimous feeling in the country, the Government will agree to support one or other of the Bills in question so that it may become law during the present session.
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes, Sir; I have studied the four Bills. Some legislation in the direction of these measures is advisable, but no contentious measure could be expected to pass this session. The Bill prepared by the hon. Member for North Dublin is, I am advised, not likely to arouse opposition. If that measure—it may be supplemented and modified—could be taken as an "agreed" Bill, it would no doubt pass. I am prepared to co-operate with those interested to effect this.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI may tell the right hon. Gentleman that there is 1362 absolute unanimity among the Irish Members on this question.
§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)was understood to ask if the right hon. Gentleman would himself take up the Bill.
§ MR. WYNDHAMsaid he could not give an absolute pledge for a week or two, but he would be happy to give the Bill all the assistance in his power.