§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury 1081 whether, before assenting to the Redistribution Resolutions, it had been brought to his knowledge that Mr. Pitt, when asked what guarantee the Irish people had that the British Parliament would not violate its pledges, replied publicly that Ireland had the guarantee of the honour of England; and whether, now that this declaration has been brought to his knowledge, he can say whether it is intended to persevere with the proposal to reduce the Irish representation below the figure fixed by the Act of Union.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not agree with the hon. Gentleman's view with regard to the character of the obligations imposed by the Treaty of Union; but it would really be quite impossible to argue the subject across the floor of the House at Question time.
§ MR. MACVEAGHasked whether, before the right hon. Gentleman drafted his Redistribution Resolutions, Mr. Pitt's reply was brought to his attention.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)asked whether the Prime Minister agreed with Mr. Pitt.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI agree with Mr. Pitt that nothing this House is likely to do will interfere with the honour of England.