QUESTION. (Hansard, 22 March 1872)

THE EARL OF DUFFERIN

said, that, in the first place, his noble Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland had introduced the Grand Jury Amendment (Ireland) Bill, and it was expected that great benefit would result in respect of the transaction of county business from the provisions of that measure. That Bill would render necessary another to deal with certain county officers whose status and position would be affected by the Grand Jury Bill; this Bill would be introduced after Easter. It was also intended to introduce a Local Government Board Bill, for concentrating certain powers of the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council of Ireland in the hands of a Board of Local Government. Then there would be a measure, which was looked forward to with great anxiety in Ireland, which was rendered necessary by certain misapprehensions as to provisions in the Irish Land Act with respect to loans. He had also hoped to lay upon the Table before Easter a Bill for the general improvement of prisons in Ireland, but the measure would require some further consideration. He hoped, however, to be able to introduce it almost immediately after the Easter Recess. It was the intention of his noble Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland to introduce a Bill to facilitate the granting of loans for the erection or repair of Labourers' Cottages; and there was a Bill of great importance in contemplation by his noble Friend, but no steps would be taken in respect of its introduction till his noble Friend saw the result of the discussion on the Resolutions affecting Private legislation introduced by the Chairman of Ways and Means in the House of Commons. The Bill to which he referred was one having reference to the subject of local inquiry in the case of Private Bills.