§ 47. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that on the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill the only Irish representatives who voted were amongst those who opposed the Bill, he will withdraw this Bill, which has no Parliamentary or other support from the country to which the Bill is to apply, and will devote the time allocated to the Committee and other stages of the Bill to passing into Law a measure dealing with agriculture in England, for which there is urgent need and widespread support in this country?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer is in the negative.
§ Colonel ASHLEYDoes that mean that either England is to have no Agricultural Bill this year, or that we shall be compelled to have an Autumn Session, with 1886 all its grave inconveniences, especially to Government Departments, in order to pass it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in connection with the same decision, the four Ulster Unionists who were Members of the Government did not vote in support of the Government Bill, and is there any precedent for that?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHNo, but it is very interesting.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe question is really one which was debated on the Second Reading, and can hardly be dealt with by question and answer.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHNot their abstention.