§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If Boroughs which are perfectly uncorrupt as well as thoroughly independent, and at the same time are towns of great local importance and centres of trade and commerce over large districts in the Country, are to be called upon to lose a Member in order to promote Reform, on what grounds it is proposed that certain others, which are mere proprietary and nomination Boroughs, and which habitually obey the command of their patron in the election of a Member, are to be exempted from making a corresponding sacrifice?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the inquiry of my hon. Friend, although distinguished by his usual acuteness, does not appear to me to fall within the legitimate limits of Questions such as are put in this House. The inquiry of my hon. Friend is founded upon a series of assumptions which may or may not be true, but which can only he established or refuted, not by answering a question, but by a process of debate and discussion. I hope my hon. Friend will, on further consideration, keep this subject for the impending debate on the Reform Bill rather than expect me to give an answer. If therefore I decline to answer a Question which I could not do without making a speech, I trust that my hon. Friend will not think that I am showing any disrespect to him.