HL Deb 10 March 1885 vol 295 cc596-7
THE EARL OF WEMYSS

said, he desired to ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for India a Question, of which, he had given him private Notice, with reference to the Bengal Tenancy Bill now under discussion before the Council of the Viceroy. The measure was one which would practically extend to Bengal what was known as Irish legislation. [Cries of "Order!"] He did not say that it was so. What he wanted was to know the real character of the measure and its present position before the Council? [Renewed cries of "Order!"]

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY,

rising to Order, said, he was quite ready to answer any Question on the subject, but the noble Earl was proceeding, without Notice, to discuss a most complicated and most difficult measure, and he must say he thought the noble Earl was out of Order.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

said, he thought that the course taken by the noble Earl (the Earl of Wemyss) in asking for information, without Notice, was a very usual one, whether the subject was complicated or not; but the question of whether any answer was given depended very much on the knowledge possessed at the time by Members of the Government in the House.

EARL GRANVILLE

contended that as this was a Question asked after giving private Notice, it would be out of Order to discuss it. If a Question was likely to lead to discussion, Notice should be placed on the Minutes, not for the benefit of the Government, but with the object of enabling noble Lords who took an interest in the subject to be present.

THE EARL OF WEMYSS

gave Notice that he would ask the Question on Thursday next.