§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I desire, on behalf of the Irish party, to ask the Leader of the House whether, in view of recent occurrences in Ireland, he is prepared to give early, ample, and special time for the discussion of the condition of things in that country.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI beg to thank the hon. Gentleman for his courtesy in giving me notice of this Question. I do not think it is either necessary or desirable to give the special facilities which the hon. Gentleman seeks.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)I would ask the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that my hon. friend speaks for eighty-two of the representatives of Ireland, and that the events that are occurring in Ireland are matters requiring immediate discussion, he will not look into the question a little further and see if he can not give us at least one day for the discussion of these matters, and whether even the loss of a day might not possibly turn out to be a good economy of time for the Government, while giving common fair play to the representatives of Ireland.
§ MR. A J. BALFOURI do not think it would be an economy of time to have a day formally given up to the discussion of Irish affairs in addition to all the opportunities which no doubt hon. Gentlemen will find for dealing with affairs in Ireland.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)Without at all interfering or expressing an opinion as to the policy of the Government in Ireland, may I not put it to the right hon. Gentleman that in former time sit was always the practice to introduce a coercive system for Ireland by long discussions in this House? The right hon. Gentleman introduced and passed a Bill—perhaps wisely; I do not pass any opinion upon that—which prevented any form of discussion before coercion was introduced. I would submit to him for consideration whether he should not on this occasion, when so large a portion of Ireland has been placed under exceptional law, grant the request of hon. Gentlemen below the gangway.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe right hon. Gentleman probably remembers that we had a discussion upon the placing of certain parts of Ireland under proclamation during the earlier part of this Session, and I do not know that a renewed discussion on the same topic would serve any public interest. Of course, if the Front Opposition Bench were to take such a view of the government of Ireland as to justify them in asking for a day in order to condemn formally the policy of the Government, that day would at once be granted. I do not think it is in conformity with the ordinary usages and practices of this House to grant the request in the form in which it has been made this afternoon.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENMay I ask whether, in giving his answer, the right hon. Gentleman is aware that amongst the occurrences we have to complain of since the House last met is the proclamation of the city of Dublin, where, on the authority of the Judges themselves, there is absolutely no crime.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order‡ The hon. Member is now debating the question.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIENMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he has not just now laid down the position that he will give a day for the discussion of the grievances of Ireland if a British party demand it, but that he will not give a day for that purpose when it is demanded by five-sixths of the representatives of Ireland.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURPrecisely. It is the old story. I am following, as I propose to follow, the time-honoured tradition of this House, under which a day for a vote of censure is not granted except on the demand of the Opposition.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAnd I was called to order a few minutes ago for saying that there was one law for the British and another for the Irish Member.
MR. MCVEAGH (Down, S.)So there is.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will allow me to ask if I am to assume that his reply to the right hon. Gentleman on the Front Opposition Bench is a reply to me, and that we will get a day?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think the hon. Gentleman must settle that with his friends on the Front Opposition Bench