MR. MACARTNEYasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether the disqualification which arises upon a Member of Parliament being declared a bankrupt 828 applies to a Member of Parliament who was an uncertificated bankrupt at the time of his election?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALWith regard to English Members, the disqualification attaching to bankruptcy under the provisions of the English Bankruptcy Law is confined to Members who have become bankrupt after their election; but with regard to Irish Members, seeing that by the combined action and effect of the Act 19 & 20 Geo. III. c. 25, s. 9, and the Irish Act of 41 Geo. III. c. 52, s. 2, it is, at all events, arguable that a person who, in Ireland, has been declared bankrupt is not capable of being elected a Member of Parliament until his debts have been paid. I have considered the matter very carefully, but I have not been able to form any definite opinion on the subject. The point is one full of difficulty, which perhaps my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland will be able to solve.