§ 47. Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he can state the length of time that has elapsed since the First Reading of the Irish Land Bill; whether he is aware that the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland gave an undertaking on his behalf that the measure would be energetically proceeded with; and whether the Irish Land Bill 429 will be the first Bill to be taken in the new Session of Parliament which is projected for November of this year?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis Bill was introduced on the 2nd April last. It was stated from the first that the Bill could not be proceeded with unless some general measure of agreement was arrived at previously. The Government are fully aware of its importance, but I cannot give the hon. Member such a pledge as he asks for in the last part of his question.