HC Deb 06 May 1864 vol 175 cc100-1
MR. NEWDEGATE

Sir, I have heard from the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary, with sincere regret, that the noble Lord at the head of the Government is not likely to be in his place to-night, and that it is also doubtful whether he will be here on Monday; but the right hon. Gentleman has also informed me that he will himself answer the Question which I have put upon the paper. I would crave the indulgence of the House, while I state very shortly the reasons for my putting this Question. A Conference of the Great Powers has been sitting, at which Austria, Prussia, Denmark, and England are represented; and it is understood that this Conference is to deliberate with reference to the immediate state of things incident to the war. England has not ceased to be the ally of Denmark; and whatever may be the feelings of the representatives of the other Powers—["Order order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

It is the rule of the House that a hon. Member putting a Question must confine himself strictly to the facts necessary to explain it.

MR. NEWDEGATE

It is without intending any disrespect to the Conference that I have put this Question; but I think it is inconsistent with the dignity of England—["Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

Any expressions of opinion on the part of the hon. Member are out of order.

MR. NEWDEGATE

I beg pardon, I will simply state that as England is the ally of Denmark, I do not think—["Order!"] I will put the Question of which I have given notice, and which in a great measure explains itself. I merely wish further to state that the contributions levied upon the people of Denmark—["Order!"] I cannot conceive that this is a matter of indifference to the House of Commons—["Order!]

MR. SPEAKER

I must request that the hon. Gentleman will put his Question.

MR. NEWDEGATE

I beg your pardon, Sir; I see that certain hon. Members are combined to refuse the indulgence I asked, I will, therefore, simply put my Question, the terms of which, happily, explain my reasons for putting it. I therefore ask the right hon. Baronet, as the representative of the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government intend to adopt any measures likely to be more effectual than those which have hitherto been attempted, for the purpose of relieving the People and King of Denmark from the oppression to which they are daily subjected?

SIR GEORGE GREY

The hon. Gentleman has truly stated what we all know, that a Conference is now sitting, and we hope and trust that the first result of it will be to establish an armistice. Under these circumstances, and without anticipating events, the only answer I can give the hon. Gentleman on the part of the Government is this—that Her Majesty's Government will continue, in combination with the other Powers, to take those means which appear most likely to effect the object they have in view—namely, the termination of the war, and the satisfactory settlement of the questions between Denmark and Germany.