THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDEsaid, he desired to learn what Bills relating to Ireland, more particularly with reference to Law Reform, it was the intention of the Government to propose to introduce into Parliament during the present Session. Some surprise and dissatisfaction had been excited in Ireland by the very meagre notice taken of that country in Her Majesty's Speech; for though the Ecclesiastical; arrangements had been mentioned as likely to require a great amount of attention—as would, no doubt, be the case—they would not engross all, or nearly all, the time at the disposal of Parliament. As far, moreover, as their Lordships were concerned, complaints! had been made that a great part of the Session was Likely to elapse before measures of importance would come before them. Now there were several subjects which—though not of great importance; as regards Imperial interests—were nevertheless of great interest to the people of Ireland; which measures might be advantageously, introduced in their Lordships' House. He did not, of course, allude to the great measure on the Irish Church, nor to Parliamentary Reform, 198 though he thought that Ireland stood very much in need of some well-considered measure on that subject; nor did he refer to the important questions of education or the land system. Although those matters were referred to at almost every hustings in Ireland during the late General Election, and the people seemed to attach great importance to them, there had been expressed an intention on the part of the Government not to legislate on these questions this Session. He could not help thinking that some reference ought to have been made to some of those questions in the Royal Speech, if only in deference to the public opinion existing in Ireland, as well as to the amendment of the law referring to grand juries, which was very desirable. It had been stated that a Bill on the Litter subject had been prepared, and he could not understand why, in that case, it was not at once introduced to their Lordships' House, for it would involve a great deal of detail, with which a Select Committee could best deal. But he specially referred to an amendment of the Common Law procedure of Ireland which was very much needed. The working of the existing system, which was based on the Act of 1853, was very unsatisfactory. In 1861 he obtained a Commission of Inquiry, of which no less than five ex-Lord Chancellors were Members, and their Report recommended a number of important changes. It pointed out that there had been no attempt to extend to Ireland the beneficial provisions of the English Act of 1860, and it urged the propriety of assimilating the English and Irish systems as far as possible. He thought this might be very easily accomplished, and that the Irish procedure might be adapted to the English in almost all its provisions. Unfortunately there was an impression in Ireland that no legal reforms for that country were desired by the Law Officers of any administration, unless they created patronage or appointments which were acceptable to the promoters. He hoped that this impression, which had not been without some appearance of truth, would be removed by future legislation. Then there was the question of bankruptcy. Certain provisions of the English Law which were indisputably good—such as those bringing non-traders within its operation—might be extended to Ireland, and that coun- 199 try might share the benefit of a measure carried by Mr. Moffatt last Session for checking fraudulent composition deeds. Legislation on these subjects would show the people of Ireland that Parliament was anxious, irrespective of great party questions, to promote their prosperity and welfare, and he hoped the noble Earl (Earl Granville) would be able to inform their Lordships that some measures would, on an early day, be brought before them, in order that they might have a good chance of passing through both Houses during the Session.
§ EARL GRANVILLEreplied that the noble Marquess must be aware that whatever grievances Ireland might have to complain of they certainly would not, this Session, include that of being entirely neglected by Parliament. With reference to the minor measures mentioned by the noble Marquess, he was not aware that it was the intention of the Irish Department to introduce a Bankruptcy Bill this year. He would make inquiries on the subject; but it was obvious that there might be an advantage in settling a comprehensive and satisfactory scheme for England before extending any of the provisions of the existing law to Ireland. A Bill referring to grand juries and another relating to prisons had been prepared; but before introducing them into this House it would be necessary to consider whether, having regard to the claims of other measures, there was a reasonable chance of their passing through both Houses of the Legislature during the present Session. It would be a satisfaction to him if, on inquiry, he found himself in a position to introduce one or both of those Bills into this House. With regard to a measure relating to Common Law Procedure in Ireland, he had a more satisfactory reply to give. He was glad to be able to say that he would move at the end of the evening a Bill based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission of 1861, alluded to by the noble Marquess.