1 JUNE 1907, Page 2

In the House of Commons on Monday the Prime Minister

was asked if he proposed to proceed with the Irish Council Bill, and he requested that all questions as to the dates of Government business should be postponed for a week. He would then announce the intentions of the Government with regard to all their Bills. Mr. Long pressed for an exception to be made in the case of the Irish Council Bill. "It is an invidious thing to pick and choose," said the Prime Minister. The rumours as to the approaching resignation of Sir Antony MaeDonnell have been denied by the Government ; but there are signs that the Nationalist Party may be inclined to cover their recent tactical discomfiture by trying to make him a scapegoat.