§ MR. JOHN REDMONDasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that 1738 no provision had been made for a third day for the discussion of the Irish Estimates, whether he was aware that ever since the Supply rule was established, a minimum of three days had been given, and in more than one year under the late Government four days.
§ MR. ASQUITHreplied that if they took the whole of the days in which debates connected with Ireland had been taken, this Session showed an advantage in favour of Ireland. Although there had been only two days allotted to the Irish Estimates, there had really been four and a half days given to Irish Supply, including the discussions on the Supplementary Estimates and the day occupied in getting the Speaker out of the chair. If Thursday next were not to be devoted to the Report stage of the Irish Universities Bill, he would have been able to give that day also. He would add that during the session the Government had introduced no fewer than ten Bills in which Ireland was concerned.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDsaid his only anxiety was that no precedent should be set up for limiting the discussion of the Irish Estimates to two days, and he would be satisfied if the right hon. Gentleman would give him an assurance that that would not be so.
§ MR. ASQUITHI have no hesitation in giving the hon. Gentleman that assurance.