§ MR. P. A. McHUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received from 1049 the Irish Members copies of Amendments which they propose to move to the Loan Fund Bill in case that measure is proceeded with this session; has the Irish Government considered those Amendments, and will the suggestions of the Irish Members be accepted; can he inform the House when the Loan Fund Bill will be taken; and can he assure the Irish Members that, if it is proceeded with this session, adequate time will be given for its discussion.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is quite impossible to accept the proposed Amendments, one of which is to the effect that the Treasury should pay to the debenture holders the losses they have sustained by reason of the borrowers having taken advantage of a technicality to avoid payment of the sums lent to them. The Bill is merely designed to remedy the result of an error into which the Loan Fund Societies have fallen, and extends the time for sueing on notes current in March, 1899. It does not deal with the larger question of the reform and reconstruction of the Loan Fund system. Unless the Bill be treated (as the Government think it ought to be) as uncontroversial, time cannot be given this session for its consideration.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWill the other suggestions of the Irish Party be accepted by the Government?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThere are others that cannot be accepted. The Bill, to be passed, must be an uncontroversial measure.
§ MR. MACVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman state what Amendments he is prepared to accept?
§ MR. WYNDHAMIf the hon. Member will communicate with me on behalf of the Irish Party I will tell him what the Government will accept and what they will not.
§ MR. P. A. McHUGHI shall raise this question again.