MR. H. BERKELEYsaid, he wished to ask the Attorney General whether, seeing the probability of an early dissolution of Parliament, it is his intention to deal with the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, so as to endeavour to correct its tendencies, or to permit the electors of Great Britain and Ireland to elect Members under its present enactments.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALreplied, that the question was one of very great importance. The subject had received, and would continue to receive, the anxious consideration of Her Majesty's Government. He could not admit that the question had been left unconsidered in the last Session of Parliament; nor was he able at the present moment to state with any precision what course the Government intended to take. An early opportunity would be taken by some Member of the Government to bring the subject under the attention of the House, and to make a statement which he hoped would be satisfactory. Possibly that opportunity would 186 offer itself when the Reform Bill came under the consideration of the House.