THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDEthought that, after the announcement by the First Minister of the Crown that he would be prepared to state the intentions of the Government respecting the political and social condition of Ireland, there was no reason for not proceeding with his own Motion on the subject at the earliest opportunity. He did not, however, think it would be convenient to their Lordships that he should name an earlier day than Friday, as it was necessary his Notice should be sufficiently long to enable a number of Peers to attend and give expression of their views on this most important subject. He regretted delay, caused as it was by the debate upon the Land Tenure Bill, for it might create an impression among the public that the consideration of crime in Ireland had connection with the land question. Now, with the former it was absolutely necessary to deal, whatever might be the case with the latter. It ought to be clearly understood that the first and imperative duty of the Government was to make Ireland a country fit for a civilized community, and he should be sorry, therefore, if it were supposed that the subjects were in any way connected.