HC Deb 07 May 1919 vol 115 cc903-4
53. Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the Lord Privy Seal the cause of the continued absence from Parliament of the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and when he proposes to resume his Parliamentary duties?

Mr. SHORTT

My right hon Friend the Chief Secretary is detained in Ireland on urgent matters of administration. He hopes to be in the House next week.

Captain REDMOND

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the crisis that has arisen in connection with the Proportional Representation Bill owing to the continued absence of the Chief Secretary?

Mr. SHORTT

I understand that Bill is going through very smoothly.

Mr. DEVLIN

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard it as a smooth passage that after nine sittings the Committee has only reached the first part of line 1, Clause 1?