§ SIR JOHN HAYasked whether the Prime Minister would give facilities for the discussion of the Motion on the redistribution of seats which stood on the Order Book as the second Order for Tuesday?
MR. GLADSTONEI hope, Sir, the right hon. Gentleman will not think me guilty of any discourtesy; but I am bound to say that I do not see the advantage, with reference to what we have all at heart—namely, the pacific and effectual progress of the Franchise Bill—of discussing a redistribution scheme at the present moment, unless it were a scheme supported by the authority of some large body of the House. I am afraid I cannot make that assumption with reference to the Bill of the right hon. Gentleman, because I believe he proposes it in his personal capacity. He now brings forward Resolutions. I do not think that a discussion at large on redistribution, so far as I am able to judge, would be beneficial or would advance us towards the settlement of the question.
§ SIR JOHN HAYgave Notice that, in consequence of what had fallen from the right hon. Gentleman, he should 1587 remove the Notice of Resolutions from the Order Book in order that the Bill, which stood for second reading on the 3rd December, might take its place.