Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the intention of the Government in regard to the reform of the Poor Law in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe question of the reform of the Irish Poor Law is under consideration in connection with similar reforms for the rest of the United Kingdom. A Bill on the lines of the recommendation of the Royal Commission and of the Viceregal Commission is in course of preparation, but in present circumstances I cannot say anything as to its introduction.
Captain CRAIGWould it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to deal with Ireland separately in regard to this question, seeing that in the circumstances of 1905 the right hon. Gentleman said it was over-ripe?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo; I am afraid that if treated separately the question could not be considered otherwise than highly controversial in many of its particulars. I therefore do not see where the time is to come from.