§ MR. THOMASSONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, during the Recess, the Government will consider as to the introduction of a Bill to allow every legally elected Member to take his seat, whether he be or be not willing to take the oath?
MR. GLADSTONESo far as this Question may have reference—I know not whether it has—to the case of the hon. Member for Northampton, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the other day. It was in general terms; but it gave a perfectly distinct intimation of the intention of the Government. If it is a question of the alteration of the law with regard to Parliamentary Oaths on general grounds of policy, the decision would necessarily be reserved until the time when Her Majesty's Government were in a position to consider what measures they should present to Parliament in the next Session.