§ MR. LEWISasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce, in the present Session, any Bill dealing with the boroughs of Oxford, Chester, and others now deprived of representation in this House?
MR. O'BRIENBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, will he be kind enough to state whether there is any intention of filling up the gaps in the Irish representation in this House caused by the disfranchisement of Cashel and Sligo?
MR. GLADSTONESir, I do not think that the supplementary Question put by the hon. Member is at all analogous to the Question put by the hon. Member for Derry (Mr. Lewis). Of course, an answer could be given to that Question if the hon. Member desires; but I should wish a day or two to consider it. With regard to the Question of the hon. Member for Derry, the case stands thus—although we should have been glad, if it had been in our power, to deal with it at an earlier period, yet we believe it is well that the House should deal, in the first instance, with the general law of corrupt practices; and we shall not attempt to deal with those boroughs until the House has distinctly fixed its own views on the provisions of the Bill now before it. I think I could not reasonably anticipate that that Bill will pass the House in the present Session in time 1104 for us to introduce and carry a measure relating to those boroughs which have been specially reported upon.