§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I have to inform the House that the Conference summoned by His Majesty the King held four meetings, on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of July, respectively, and the possibility of defining an area for exclusion from the operations of the Government of Ireland Bill was considered, and the Conference being unable to agree either in principle or in detail upon such an area, it brought its meetings to a conclusion.
That is the Report made by Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of the Conference, to His Majesty the King.
I have further to announce in qualification of the statement I made yesterday as to the course of business that in the circumstances the Government propose to take; the Government of Ireland (Amendment) Bill at an early date next week. Monday being, for various reasons inconvenient to some of those most directly concerned, I propose that we should put down the 898 Second Reading of that Bill as the first Order on Tuesday next.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI propose to follow the example set by the Prime Minister, and make no comment on the Report. As regards the Amendment Bill, I think the House desires that it should be taken as soon as possible, but I am sure we readily agree to the suggestion of the Prime Minister that it should be taken on Tuesday.
Sir HENRY DALZIELI should like to ask the Prime Minister whether he can hold out any hope that the House will be informed of the exact difference of opinion with regard to the fact that no settlement has been brought about as to the area?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I would rather make no statement on the subject at this moment.
§ Adjourned accordingly, pursuant to the Order of the House of 17th July, at Fourteen minutes after Five o'clock, till Monday next. 27th July.