HC Deb 24 July 1913 vol 55 cc2201-2
25. Mr. SHEEHAN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the urgency of providing money to carry on the work of the Labourers Acts, he will immediately introduce a Bill sanctioning sufficient advances for these purposes through the Irish Land Commission as heretofore; whether he is aware that a postponement of the advances provided for in the Irish Land Bill until next year will delay building operations in the cases of thousands of cottages either sanctioned by the Local Government Board or passed by district councils; and whether there would be any difficulty in carrying through both Houses of Parliament this year a short amending Labourers Bill as an agreed measure?

Mr. BIRRELL

The hon. Member will, I am sure, recognise that at this stage of the Session it would be impossible to effect any legislation on the subject by means of a separate Bill. The hon. Member must not overlook the fact that operations under the Labourers Acts impose certain additional burdens both upon the Irish ratepayers and upon Irish funds.

Mr. SHEEHAN

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question, "Whether there would be any difficulty in carrying through both Houses of Parliament this year a short amending Labourers Bill as an agreed measure." Is he not aware that the Bill of 1911 was an agreed Bill and passed through without any contention or debate?

Mr. BIRRELL

Yes, Sir; but the circumstances are very different now, and there is a great deal of difficulty in the way.

Mr. SHEEHAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the fate of something like 20,000 labourers is involved by hanging up this question?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is now entering into an argument.

Mr. SHEEHAN

Having regard to the urgency of this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for Adjournment.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is precluded from doing that.

Mr. BIRRELL

May I point out that we have already built 41,000 cottages in Ireland, and although I agree that more should be built, really some other people have claims as well.