§ 27. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Prime Minister what interval will elapse before the suggestion stage of the Government of Ireland Bill is taken in this House; how many days will be allotted to such stage; 162 in what form is it proposed that suggestions should be submitted for the consideration of the House; and whether such suggestions will be restricted to proposals for the omission, modification, or amendment of the existing provisions of the Bill; or whether they may extend to the substitution therefor of another measure more consonant with a scheme of devolution applicable to the whole of the United Kingdom?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA statement of the intentions of the Government on this subject will be made in due course, and I am not prepared to anticipate it.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the suggestions on the Home Rule Bill will be taken in the order in which they appear on the Notice Paper, or in the order of the Clauses of the Bill to which they relate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; I would not like to commit myself at this moment.
§ Mr. HEWINSMay I ask whether before we reach the suggestion stage the right hon. Gentleman will state in detail what changes the proposals he himself has made involve changes in the several Clauses of the Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will consider that.
§ Mr. BATHURSTWill the right hon. Gentleman, at any rate, allow sufficient time after the announcement of his intentions in this matter to admit of carefully considered suggestions to be drafted?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir. I do not wish at this moment to lay down anything as to the form of procedure we shall have to adopt, but I will bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. Member.