THE DUKE OF ABERCORNasked the Prime Minister if he could state at what date the Government expected to be able to introduce the Bill dealing with tithe rent-charge in Ireland, which was promised in the Queen's Speech. He did not intend to provoke any debate, as he thought it would be hardly fair to do so, the Bill having already been promised. But hope deferred made the heart sick, and he could assure their Lordships that there were many sick hearts in Ireland in regard to this question, and the doubt and uncertainty that existed as to the intention of the Government upon this unjust tax, which now pressed so hard, unjustly, and severely upon many of the already crippled landowners in Ireland.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)My Lords, I am afraid I can only repeat to my noble Friend what has already been stated-by my right honourable Friend the Chief Secretary in the House of Commons, namely—that we cannot absolutely gay when the Hill will be brought forward, but we hope it will be at a very early period, and before Whitsuntide. I may add the information that the Bill is in existence, and is being submitted to its last stage of manufacture in the shape of being brought before a Committee of the Cabinet. When the Committee of the Cabinet has applied its wisdom to it, I have no doubt the Bill will be ready to be introduced to Parliament.
THE EARL OF MAYOdesired to ask, in connection with this question, whether the noble Marquess could give the House any information with regard to the Board of Agriculture Bill. This Bill had been twice mentioned in the Queen's Speech, and he trusted that it would be brought in this Session. It was here, as in the matter of the Tithe Rent-Charge Bill, a case of hope deferred.
THE PRIME MINISTERMy Lords, I can only say very much the same in respect to this Bill as I said in respect to the other Measure. They are both in a forward state of preparation, and I hope they will be introduced. My noble Friend rather seems to think that Ireland has a particular grievance. I assure him that that is not the case. With respect to both England and Scotland, hearts are more sick with "hope deferred" than they are in Ireland. This is due to the machinery of Parliament not being equal to the work which it has to do. My noble Friend speaks with awe of the phenomenon of a Bill twice mentioned in the Queen's Speech, and yet not passed into law. Is my noble Friend aware that only last year we passed a Bill which has been mentioned five times in the Queen's Speech? I am afraid my noble Friend must learn the lessons of patience which come home to a Member of even the most important Parliament in the world.