§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are numbers of women in the country who do not want the parliamentary franchise; and, in view of this fact, 844 whether it is the intention of the Government to ascertain if the public opinion of the country is in favour of extending the franchise to them before contemplating any change in the law in the matter.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have no doubt that there are a certain number of women who do not want the parliamentary franchise, just as there are men who would be glad to be without it or who behave as the ugh they would. I think the suggestion of the hon. Member somewhat impracticable.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURasked if the men to whom the Prime Minister referred were Radical electors.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI believe they are of all kinds.
§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked whether it was to be inferred from the last part of the Answer to his Question that the Prime Minister contemplated bringing about legislation without consulting public opinion.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Government will take the usual course when there is any change in the Parliamentary Constitution.