§ Mr. E. B. Rochesaid, that he had a question to ask of the hon. and learned Member for Bath, for the purpose of asking which he had come expressly from Ireland. As this was a question referring 138 to a matter in which he felt that his character as a Member of that House, and as a gentleman, was concerned, he trusted he was not asking too much of the House in begging to be allowed to make a few preliminary remarks by way of explanation of the grounds on which he asked it. A very short time since, he saw with considerable astonishment a speech attributed to the hon. Gentleman in the Times newspaper.
§ Mr. Speakersaid, that the hon. Member was irregular in referring to a newspaper for what was said in that House in a previous debate.
§ Mr. RocheWell, then, I heard of a speech which has been attributed to the hon. and learned Gentleman, in which I find the following words, in alluding to a large body of the Irish Members:—"They have run away from their posts."
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is quite evident, from the hon. Gentleman's observations, that he is referring to a speech made by the hon. and learned Member for Bath in a former debate; and I must inform the hon. Member that it is quite irregular for any hon. Gentlemen to allude to a previous debate.
§ Mr. RocheI may be permitted at any rate to ask this question. Certain observations, I understand, were made—supposing that they were made—
§ Mr. Speakersaid, he was sure the House would feel that it was quite impossible that the hon. Member could be allowed to refer to any words spoken by another hon. Member in a previous debate.
§ The question was then put, that the Order of the Day for the Committee of Ways and Means be read.