§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell) moved "That the Bill be now read a second time." I only want to say that this Bill is agreed to by all parties in Ireland, and that it is for the rectification of a serious administrative difficulty which has arisen in the county of Cork. Unless the Bill is passed, the objects of the promoters will be delayed. All parties agree that it is most necessary that the Bill should become law, and I therefore move that it be read a second time.
§ Mr. CLAUDE HAYThe Chief Secretary has said that this Bill is absolutely necessary for the conduct of business in Ireland, and that if delayed it will cause very serious inconvenience. That, I think, is ample proof that the placing of this Bill among the dregs of the Session, and the bringing of it up at two o'clock in the morning, instead of as the first Order of the day, is not only an outrage on Parliamentary procedure, but an outrage on Ireland.
§ 2.0 A.M.
§ Mr. J. H. CAMPBELLI hope the House will allow this Bill to go through. I have had an opportunity of studying it. It is a very generous and very courageous attempt, at a rather late hour I admit, on the part of the Government to settle a very difficult question which has arisen, and which has been the subject matter of litigation and friction for the past four years. The right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland has devised a very excellent remedy for it, to which all parties have assented. As the matter is an urgent one in the interests of the Irish people concerned in the registration of land, I would ask the House to accept the Bill.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI move "That this Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House."
§ Committee to sit to-morrow, Thursday.