§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether lie expects to be in a position to announce before Whitsuntide the plan of the Government for removing the financial difficulties which hinder the operation of the Irish Land Act of 1903.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE,) Carnarvon BoroughsI fear that at present I cannot make any statement with regard to the date at which the decision of the Government can be announced.
§ MR. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister told a deputation recently "I am quite certain that by the time Parliament meets we shall be in a position to tell the House of Commons what our plans are for removing the financial block in the working of the Act." What has been the cause of the delay?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.I will answer that. Almost the moment after Parliament met we had the Report of a Departmental Committee on the subject, and our anxiety has been to get the views thereon of the various Irish interests concerned. Hence the delay.