§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is aware that in Ireland no property not exceeding £4 in value is rated; and therefore that the proposed Parliamentary Rating Franchise could not devolve on occupiers in that country at or below that amount; and, if so, whether he proposes to establish a lower Parliamentary Franchise in England than in Ireland?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the first Question of my hon. Friend appears to me not to be stated in exactly correct language. It assumes that no property in Ireland not exceeding £4 in value is rated; but I believe I am right in stating that all property in that country under £4 in value is rated. Therefore, the foundation of my hon. Friend's first question is incorrect. With regard to the 882 second Question, Whether Her Majesty's Government propose to establish a lower Parliamentary franchise in England than in Ireland, I think it would be more convenient if my hon. Friend would wait till my noble Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland brings forward the Irish Reform Bill; but, at the same time, I may be permitted to remind my hon. Friend that for the last five-and-thirty years the franchises in England and Ireland have not been identical.