SECOND READING. (Hansard, 12 March 1877)

LORD INCHIQUIN,
in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that the present measure was confined to the single object of putting an end to the further creation of Irish Peerages—a power which their Lordships were aware was vested in Her Majesty, with certain limitations, by the Act of Union. He had confined himself to this single object because, however desirable it might be to make other alterations in the laws relating to the Peerage of Ireland, he thought that after the discussion which took place last year on the Bill which he then introduced, considerable diversity of opinion had been shown to exist as to what alterations ought to be made. And even if their Lordships were to agree to any changes in respect to these laws, he thought it would be undesirable at the present moment to include them in this Bill, as the effect would very probably be to endanger its passage through the other House. There was sufficient reason why it was desirable that this Bill should become law. because at the present time there was one, if not 1753 two, vacancies which it was in the power of the Crown to fill up. If their Lordships agreed to the Bill as it now stood, the effect would be to place the Scotch and Irish Peerage on the same footing. Under the circumstances, he would not trouble their Lordships further. but would conclude by expressing a hope that Her Majesty's Government would be able to see their way to assist the passing of the measure through the other House of' Parliament.

LORD DENMAN
said, that having last year opposed the Bill, he was sorry to speak against it as he had done on the 4th April, 1876. He could not easily change his opinion. He thought the whole subject should be dealt with; and if, unfortunately, the number of Irish Peers should fall so low as 28, there would be no electors left. He felt that his opposition would be useless.

§ LORD CARLINGFORD
complained of the mode in which the Bill of last Session had been treated in the other House. He thought that, considering the circumstances that then occurred, the question should have been taken up by Her Majesty's Government. It was a measure of considerable constitutional interest, materially affecting the Act of Union, and its introduction had been sanctioned by the Crown in accordance with an Address to the effect which had been presented by their Lordships' House. In these circumstances, he was of opinion that the measure should have been brought forward under the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government, and should not be left this year, as it was last year, hanging about the two Houses of Parliament in a doubtful manner, resulting in a very lame conclusion. If the Bill was not to be in the hands of the Government, he hoped at least that they would give some assurance that it should be supported by the Government—he did not say in this House, but in the other House of Parliament—so that the House might feel an assurance that the change which the Government were, of course, now as much committed to as his noble Friend (Lord Inchiquin), or any who sat on the Opposition side of the House, should no longer be delayed; and that this mea- 1754 sure, which, though a small one, was of great importance in its purpose, should become law.