HC Deb 28 July 1908 vol 193 cc1242-3
MR. McHUGH (Sligo, N.)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the promise conveyed in the King's Speech at the opening of the present session that a measure would be introduced to amend the Land Law (Ireland) Acts, and of the dissatisfaction prevailing in Ireland at the failure of the Government to carry out its promise in this regard, he will, with a view to preventing unrest and disturbance in Ireland, state what are the present intentions of His Majesty's Government on this matter.

MR. ASQUITH

My right hon. friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland has more than once stated that it is the intention of the Government to introduce in the coming autumn a measure dealing with congestion in Ireland—that is still our intention. The Report of the Royal Commission is at present under consideration with that object. My right hon. friend has not had sufficient time, since the Report was received, to formulate the necessary legislation for dealing with a matter of so much importance.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)

Will the Bill deal generally with the question of land purchase?

MR. ASQUITH

I prefer to reserve my reply to that till the autumn.