HC Deb 25 July 1878 vol 242 c215

PETITION PRESENTED.

MR. J. COWEN

I beg to present a Petition from Manchester, Bolton, Stock-port, Maidstone, Newcastle-under-Lyne, and other places, reciting the events which have taken place in the Bast during the last two years, and concluding with the Prayer— That this honourable House will exhibit articles of impeachment against Lord Beacons-field, and cause him to be arrested for high crimes and misdemeanours, in order that the honour of the country may be maintained. I may be permitted to add that I do not agree with the argument contained in the Petition, nor do I concur in its Prayer, and I simply ask that I may be allowed to lay it on the Table.

MR. CHARLES LEWIS

I wish to ask you, Sir, whether a Petition asking for the impeachment of the Prime Minister, without assigning any reason, ought to be received, and whether it is in Order?

MR. SPEAKER

This Petition, in the ordinary course, will go before the Select Committee on Petitions, and if they think it out of Order, no doubt they will make a special Report to the House. As far as I know, from all that has been stated by the hon. Member for Newcastle, I see nothing out of Order in the Petition.

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