§ MR. ROBERT WALLACEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that payment of Members of Parliament is regarded as a matter of pressing interest by a very extensive section of the electorate, including a large proportion of electors who earn their living by manual labour; and that a very large body of Members of this House has been returned pledged to, support such a measure; and whether the Government intends, by legislation, or through Budget arrangements or otherwise, to give practical effect to the principle in question?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEIn answer to my hon. Friend, I have to acquaint him with the fact that a meeting of a large number of Members of the House, which took place some days ago in reference to this question, deputed several gentlemen to communicate with me on the subject. In view of the pressure at the present time from the prolongation of the Debate on the Address, and the great importance of the Irish Government Bill, I asked those gentlemen for a delay of a few days. I promised that, immediately after making my statement on the Irish Government Bill, I would communicate with them without loss of time; and I think that my hon. Friend will feel that, in deference to that undertaking, I ought now to reserve any expression of opinion upon the subject until I have communicated again with them, which I will do without delay.