HC Deb 19 March 1883 vol 277 cc810-2
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I wish to put a Question to you, Sir, upon a point of Privilege raised by the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the reply which he gave to a Question put to him the other day by the hon. and learned Member for Chatham (Mr. Gorst). I want to know whether the right of petitioning Parliament for the redress of grievances is not acknowledged as a fundamental part j of the Constitution; and whether a threat of inflicting punishment by a Department of the Government for exercising that right would not amount to a breach of Privilege? At the present moment an impression prevails among the officers of the Inland Revenue that they would be punished if they petitioned Parliament for a redress of their grievances, and the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer goes rather to confirm that impression.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member asks me whether the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a Question put by the hon. and learned Member for Chatham (Mr. Gorst) does not amount to a breach of Privilege.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

No, Sir that was not my Question.

MR. SPEAKER

I am bound to say that the Question should have been put to me at the time the answer was made; and I have to observe that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his answer, referred to a Treasury Minute bearing on the matter which has been laid upon the Table of the House. When that Treasury Minute comes on for consideration then will be the time for putting a Question as to whether the Minute itself involves a breach of the Privilege of the House.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I must apologize for once more asking the Question. I am afraid that I did not explain myself quite clearly in the first instance. I did not say that the answer of the right hon. Gentleman was a breach of the Privileges of the House; but I asked you, Sir, whether the officers of the Inland Revenue and others are not entitled to petition Parliament for the redress of their grievances; and whether any censure or punishment inflicted on them for so petitioning by the Board of Inland Revenue would not be a breach of the Privileges of this House?

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has put to me a hypothetical Question in regard to the Privileges of the House. When the occasion arises I shall be quite ready to answer it.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

The point of Order, Sir, is one of some importance, and is not so absolutely hypothetical as it may appear. A discussion will be raised, as soon as possible, with respect to the grievances of these Inland Revenue clerks; and, in the meantime, the clerks are prevented by the Government from approaching hon. Members in order to supply them with information in regard to their case. My hon. Friend asks whether such a prohibition is not a distinct breach of the Privileges of this House?

MR. SPEAKER

I have no information before me that such a prohibition has been made.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I beg to give Notice that I will, on the earliest opportunity, on going into Committee of Supply, or on the Vote for the Board of Inland Revenue, call the attention of the House to the General Order of the 3rd of January issued by the Board of Inland Revenue, and will move a Resolution inviting the House to express its condemnation of the unwarrantable interference and invasion of the Privileges of this House committed by a Public Department.