HC Deb 20 June 1912 vol 39 cc1823-5
45. Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now see his way to accompany the Government of Ireland Bill by some such proviso as Mr. Gladstone in 1891 undertook to propose, with a view either to completing the settlement of the land question by Act of the Imperial Parliament within a limited period, to be specified in the Bill, or to committing the power of dealing with it to the local legislature?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

I have made inquiry from Lord Morley, and I understand that what my hon. Friend calls a proviso, which was made public at the time, was no unconditional undertaking but an offer to give such an undertaking, if it were accepted, along with an accompanying proposal about the police, in satisfaction of demands then being pressed forward by important leaders of the Irish party. It was not so accepted, and no action was attempted on it in the Home Rule Bill of 1893, or otherwise. I must repeat that the Government are fully alive to the importance of proceeding with all possible dispatch with the land purchase settlement. The reservation of that service was in a great degree dictated by the necessity of maintaining unquestioned the security on which the future of land purchase must largely, if not wholly, depend.

Mr. W. O'BRIEN

Is it not a fact that Mr. Gladstone not only gave these pledges in 1891, but that he gave effect to the pledge in Clause 34 of the Bill of 1893, which is in these words:— During three years from the passing of this Act the Irish Legislature shall not pass any Act respecting the relations between landlord and tenant or the sale or purchase or letting of land generally. What objection can there be to embodying these words in the present Bill?

The PRIME MINISTER

We have reserved the service generally. When we come to Clause 2, on which the question arises, I shall be very glad to discuss the question with the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. MOORE

With regard to the question of reserving the settlement of the Irish land question, will the right hon. Gentleman consider what settlement would be likely to be arrived at in fixing rents by a political party consisting of the National League and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and what fair play the landlords would get?

Mr. T. M. HEALY

May I ask that we shall have a full opportunity of considering this matter on Clause 2 in the manner in which its importance deserves?

The PRIME MINISTER

I shall take good care of that.