§ MR. TULLYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can indicate the grounds upon which the resignation has been accepted of Sir David Harrel as Under Secretary; and if he can state when he will be in a position to announce 754 the change of Irish policy connected with the appointment of Sir Antony M'Donnel to that position.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe first query is unusual. In reply, I have to say that the sole ground for accepting Sir David Harrel's resignation was that it is impossible to persist in asking a public servant to re-consider a resignation tendered after prolonged, exacting, devoted and distinguished service, upon the sole ground of ill-health. May I add that I cannot, within the compass of an answer, express my gratitude to Sir David Harrel for the assistance he has given me, or my admiration of the work he has done for his country. In reply to the second Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the speech which I made in the House on Monday, 27th October†, and to the announcement, more than once repeated, that a Land Purchase Bill will be the principal measure of next session.
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)When the right hon. Gentleman says "principal" measure next session, does he mean principal Government measure or principal Irish measure?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I think it is premature to discuss the exact hierarchical precedence of measures at this stage.
§ MR. BRYCEMy Question merely arose out of the expression used by the right hon. Gentleman, which seemed to me to be ambiguous.