§ MR. RYLANDSsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, If it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to bring in a Bill during the present Session to repeal the Act 22 Geo. III., c. 45, entitled "An Act for restraining any person concerned in any contract, commission, or agreement made for the Public Service from being elected or sitting and voting as a Member of the House of Commons?"
MR. GLADSTONEHer Majesty's Government are of opinion that the working of the law in respect to Government contractors is not altogether satisfactory; but at the same time I cannot say that, at the present moment, they see their way to the manner in which it ought to be dealt with, or that they are prepared, considering the business they have yet in hand, to bring in a measure during the present Session. At the same time, it is a matter for consideration, and if any Member of Parliament should think fit to introduce a Bill for the purpose of improving the state of the law in that respect, they would lend to it an impartial and friendly consideration.