§ MR. SAUNDERS (Newington, Walworth)I beg to ask whether the Government intend to withdraw the property qualification proposed in Clause 6 of the Home Rule Bill for Irish electors to the Second Chamber of the Irish Legislature?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONESince the time when the Government last declared their opinion with respect to this provision, we have had no opportunity of obtaining further information or of hearing further argument; and, under the circumstances, as the question stands near the point at which we have now arrived on the Report of the Government of Ireland Bill, I hardly think that this is the moment at which I ought to enter into it. I think the duty of the Government is to wait, in the hope of hearing what further contributions the House may have to make for the settlement of the question, if any, when we arrive at that point in the Amendments on the Report.