HC Deb 25 February 1884 vol 284 cc1862-3
MR. W. J. CORBET

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to a protest from the Lieutenant and cer- tain Deputy Lieutenants and Magistrates of the county of Wicklow, in which the following occurs:— We consider that the action of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, in depriving-Lord Rossmore of the Commission of the Peace for the county Monaghan, was most unjust and ill judged; and, whether he will bring the matter under the notice of the Lord Chancellor?

MR. M'COAN

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this Question I beg to be allowed, in fairness to the gentleman whom it seeks to denounce, to trouble him with another. It is, whether the acceptance of the Commission of the Peace involves the loss of the common right of all citizens to criticize the Government of the day; and if it does not, whether popular confidence in the impartiality of the Administration is likely to be promoted by arbitrary interference with this right, while the magistracy themselves, the judicial body, and the Executive authority are all, by turn, being persistently held up to public scorn and execration in newspapers owned and conducted by Members of this House?

MR. TREVELYAN

I would rather decline to answer that Question now.

MR. M'COAN

I will put it on the Paper.

MR. TREVELYAN

I think I laid my view of the case sufficiently before the House in the debate on the Amendment of the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell). I have also more than once answered Questions similar in effect to that of the hon. Member for Wicklow (Mr. Corbet). I have pointed out the material difference which exists between persons with more or less imperfect knowledge of the circumstances expressing an adverse opinion as to the course adopted by the Government, and themselves taking an active part in proceedings similar to those which the Government have condemned. Judged from this point of view, the Government do not think that the protest of the Wicklow magistrates—however much it is to be regretted—calls for special notice.