HC Deb 19 February 1866 vol 181 cc762-3
MR. MAINWARING

I wish to ask the Government, Why, when moments were so very precious, Her Majesty was not in London on Saturday to give the Royal Assent to the Bill for suspending the Habeas Corpus in Ireland?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I think a short statement of the facts of the case will be the best answer to the Question put by the hon, Member, and will show that there are no grounds out of which any occasion for an inquiry of this nature could arise. A Cabinet Council was held on Friday, and it was late on the afternoon of that day that the Council determined to lay the Bill before the House at an early hour on Saturday. It happened that on Friday, the day on which the Council was held, Her Majesty was at Osborne.

MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

wished to ask the right hon. Baronet the Home Se- cretary a Question upon a point of form, which was exciting considerable interest out of doors; whether, in point of fact, there was any illegality in the proceedings which took place on Sunday morning in the House of Lords; and, if so, if the Government were prepared to rectify it?

SIR GEORGE GREY

There was no illegality whatever in the matter. There is no law, Parliamentary or otherwise, to prevent the Houses of Parliament sitting on a Sunday when cases arise to render it necessary.