§ MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it was intended to bring in a special Bill in regard to the payment of election expenses, or would this form part of another measure?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTIt is to be part of another measure.
§ MR. BARTLEYPart of the Finance Bill?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTNo.
§ MR. S. WOODS (Lancashire, Ince)asked the right hon. Gentleman to explain to the House, if it was not the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill for the payment of Members, how they intended to carry out their promise of last year when they said that they would provide for the payment of Members and of election expenses in a Bill or in the Budget?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTsaid, the measures would be provided for by a Bill.
§ *MR. BURNIEasked the right lion. Gentleman what explanation he could give to the House of the present action of the Government when, in March, 1893, it accepted a Resolution pledging itself to deal with the question as early as practicable?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTThe word "practicable" has a very large interpretation. The Prime Minister received a deputation upon this subject, and he stated that the matter depended upon two things—time and money. I have always stated that we are in favour of the principle of payment of Members, but it must be left to the Government to say when is the time or where is the money.
§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy District)asked if it were not the case 566 that a definite pledge was given at the end of last Session that a Bill would be laid upon the Table this Session by the Government?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI do not know what my hon. Friend calls a definite pledge; I said I hoped so.
§ MR. DALZIELMay I ask whether that hope has been abandoned?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTNo, Sir.