§ MR. STACPOOLEsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, When the Irish Reform Bill will be introduced?
[Sir ROBERT ANSTRUTHER had placed upon the paper a similar question with regard to the Scotch Reform Bill, and Mr. OLIPHANT also had given notice of his intention to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, there being no compound-householders in Scotland, he proposed in the Scotch Reform Bill to give the franchise to every ratepaying householder in Scotch burghs?]
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I will answer the Question of the hon. Member (Mr. Stacpoole) with great pleasure, and I will, at the same time, take this opportunity of answering the two other Questions bearing upon this matter which stand on the Paper. We think that the Scotch Reform Bill is rather more pressing than the Irish, seeing that there was an Irish Reform Bill passed at a comparatively recent date. I may, however, say that the Irish Reform Bill is in preparation. With regard to the Scotch Reform Bill, I hope very soon to produce it; but it is necessary before I do so that some progress should be made with the English Reform Bill. With regard to the Question of another hon. Gentleman (Mr. Oliphant), which comes next upon the Paper, I think it would be more convenient that the provisions of the Scotch Bill should be known when I make the general statement, rather than I should answer interrogatories of this kind with reference to some single provisions. I am quite aware that there are no compound-householders in Scotland; but I scarcely think that Scotland is a country that ought to be condoled with on account of that circumstance.