§ Order for Committee read.
§ MR. KINNAIRDsaid, that this was probably the last opportunity which the Scotch Members would have of learning from the Government whether they intended to go into Committee upon the Bill before Easter. The right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer had, in his Irish Reform Bill, departed from one of his cardinal principles—that of no disfranchisement; and it would save the Scotch 100 representatives a great deal of trouble if the right hon. Gentleman would state whether he would carry out this principle of no disfranchisement in the case of the Scotch measure, and give Scotland increased representation in the manner specified in the Instruction of the hon. Member for Montrose. He should like to hear the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman upon the subject.
COLONEL STUART KNOXsaid, it was the factious opposition of hon. Gentlemen opposite which had prevented the right hon. Gentleman bringing forward the Scotch and Irish Reform Bills. On this occasion, however, the hon. Member had been justly rewarded by seeing the Bill of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Lancashire (Mr. Gladstone) postponed, it being now later than half-past twelve, after which time the right hon. Member had said that he would not propose its third reading.
§ Committee deferred till Monday, 20th April.