The Earl of Darnleysaid, he wished to put a question to the noble duke opposite, with respect to a subject of the greatest importance. He need scarcely add, that he alluded to the State of Ireland. Notwithstanding what had passed on a former occasion, when a question had been put to the noble duke, to know whether it was in the contemplation of ministers to realize a report which had been spread abroad, that though his majesty's government were averse to granting the whole of what the Roman Catholics asked for, it was intended to grant some part,—notwithstanding that the noble duke had answered, that his majesty's government had no intention of adopting any such measure, still he could not suppose but that the noble duke must be convinced, that Ireland was in a very unsatisfactory and alarming state. He, therefore, wished to know if it was the intention of ministers to bring forward any proposition relating to that country? Though he was persuaded, that nothing effectual could be done without granting concessions to the Catholics, still he hoped that something might be done to alleviate the unfortunate condition of Ireland. If the noble duke should state, that there was no intention on the part of the government to bring forward any measure, he should then feel it his duty, in pursuance of the notice which he had given last session, to move for a committee to inquire into the state of the population of Ireland, to see what measures can be adopted for its amelioration.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonsaid, he felt as much anxiety with regard to the situation of Ireland, as any noble lord present; but he had no intention of bringing forward any measure of the description alluded to by the noble earl. There would be measures brought forward in the course of the session, in the other House; but the measures contemplated by his friends and colleagues were not those which the noble earl had in contemplation.