HC Deb 25 July 1905 vol 150 cc195-6
MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he intends to set up afresh the Vote for the Irish Land Commission; if not, does he propose to maintain the regulations indicated to the House on Thursday; and is it intended to introduce a Bill during the present session to give effect to the Chief Secretary's financial proposals for removing the block in the Land Judge's Court.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is the intention of the Government to maintain the regulations sketched out by my right hon. friend, and it is my right hon. friend's intention to introduce a Bill, the contents of which he described in general terms on Thursday last. With regard to the first Question of the hon. Gentleman, I have examined the condition of public business this week, and at all events this week no steps will be taken.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

When will the Irish Land Amendment Bill be introduced?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It will be introduced either to-morrow or in a very few days.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Under the ten minutes rule?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think so. [Loud OPPOSITIONcries of "Oh."] Well, I will consider whether it ought to be presented in the ordinary manner or under the ten minutes rule.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

May I ask whether, having regard to the very deep feeling existing among landlords and tenants as to the proposal to pay the landlords in depreciated stock, the Government will take that feeling into account before the Irish Secretary introduces the Bill?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is manifest that if the classes in Ireland affected by this Bill do not desire to obtain the relief which the Bill affords the Bill has no chance of passing, and it would be improper to ask the House of Commons to spend any great amount of time on it.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposals amount simply to the addition of 10 per cent, to the price of Irish land for the tenant?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have heard two versions.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any explanation of the proposal to make payment in stock on the price of to-day?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That matter has been considered by the Government. I think, however, that Questions as to the details of the measure might with more propriety be addressed to my right hon. friend.