HC Deb 06 July 1855 vol 139 cc533-5
MR. ROEBUCK

Sir, I rise to speak on a very serious matter. Words have been used in this House which ought not to be used by English Gentlemen in the House of Commons. The hon. Gentleman the Member for Linlithgowshire (Mr. G. Dundas) has recommended to the Secretary of State for the Home Department to use a 6-pounder against the people.

MR. G. DUNDAS

All that I meant to imply was that the right hon. Gentleman should have a military force in attendance.

MR. ROEBUCK

Then, Sir, I suppose the hon. Member will apologise for his words.

MR. SPEAKER

The rule of the House with regard to words spoken by any hon. Member to which exception is taken is, that the exception must be taken immediately. Since the hon. Member has spoken another hon. Member has addressed the House; therefore, no exception can now be taken to the words used, whatever they may have been.

MR. ROEBUCK

I rose immediately after the hon. Gentleman to make that Motion, but I was interrupted. You happened to see my hon. Friend the Member for Lambeth, and, being unwilling to press myself on the attention of the House, I yielded; but I rose for the purpose of moving that the hon. Member's words should be taken down. I think that no man who feels as an Englishman and a Gentleman in this House ought to have used such expressions concerning the people of this country as were used by the hon. Member for Linlithgowshire. First of all, the hon. Gentleman called them canaille; then he took exception to their intense expression of enjoyment; and, thirdly, he recommended the right hon. Gentleman to use a 6-pounder against them. I say that such conduct is unworthy of an English Gentleman. I may use strong language, but it is not stronger than the occasion justifies. Sir, the people of this metropolis deem themselves unjustly treated. I am not one of those who think that the noble Lord the Member for Middlesex did wisely in yielding to the clamour of last Sunday, and I was the only one who took notice of the want of wisdom in yielding to that clamour; therefore, I cannot be charged with being a friend to a course of conduct which would have the effect of giving way to popular clamour. It is, however, a very different thing to recommend to the right hon. Gentleman to use a 6-pounder. It is all very well to say that he did not intend such a construction to be put upon his words; but I suppose that the hon. Gentleman has reached the years of discretion, and knows the force of language, though, judging from that language, it would not seem that he has. Such language, however, was used; it has but one signification, and that signification was unworthy of this House, and unworthy of the party who used it. However, as you, Sir, have decided that the words cannot now be taken down, I will not press the matter further.

Afterwards—

MR. G. DUNDAS

Sir, a few moments ago I was betrayed into the use of an expression to which a meaning different from that which was in my mind has been attached, and therefore I regret having made use of it. I can only say that I throw myself upon the indulgence of the House. All that I meant to say was, that I hoped the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department would not spare any efforts to maintain peace and order next Sunday.