§ MR. SMITH BARRY (Huntingdonshire, Huntingdon)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in accordance with the views expressed by him during the debates upon the Local Government (Ireland) Bill, the Government propose to introduce a measure dealing with the question of illiterate voters.
§ MR. ARTHUR J. MOOREBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask whether it is not the fact that the illiteracy alluded to is owing to defective educational arrangements, and whether it is right to deprive the people of their constitutional liberties——
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
†See The Parliamentary Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. xxxvi. (1895), pages 171, 1543; Vol. lvi. (1898), page 1555; Vol. lvii., pages 33, 186; Vol. lxvi. (1899), pages 1032, 1124; Vol. lxvii., page 797.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)Perhaps I may answer that portion of the hon. Member's question which is in order. I do not think that the illiteracy referred to is at all due to educational deficiencies in Ireland. In answer to the question on the Paper, I am afraid it is impossible to add with advantage to the programme of legislation which has been already adopted by the Government for this session.