HC Deb 20 May 1867 vol 187 cc778-9
THE O'DONOGHUE

said, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is his intention to bring in the Irish Reform Bill before Whitsuntide?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I think, Sir, my noble Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland is the person to whom the Question of the hon. Gentleman ought to be addressed. The Bill is in course of preparation, but it is difficult to say whether, even supposing it to be ready, we shall have an opportunity of introducing it before Whitsuntide.

THE O'DONOGHUE

having addressed his question to the Chief Secretary for Ireland—

LORD NAAS

I think, on the whole, considering that there is so much business before the House, it will be better for me to say at once that I think it is not desirable to introduce the Irish Reform Bill till after Whitsuntide.

MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

said, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he thought it desirable that the House should settle finally the borough franchise for England before they knew what were the intentions of the Government with regard to the borough franchise in Ireland? He ventured to put the Question, because he was given to understand that there was a disposition to make those two franchises altogether different from each other.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I must say that, in my opinion, the best thing the House of Commons can do is to settle the borough franchise for England as soon as possible.