HC Deb 22 May 1868 vol 192 cc717-8
COLONEL STUART KNOX

said, after the Question that had been put by his hon. Friend the Member for Fermanagh (Captain Archdall), the hon. Member for Westminster would not be surprised if he should ask him a Question, Whether it would not be more in accordance with decorum that the Jamaica Committee, who have hounded down the man who preserved to the British Crown one of our finest colonies, should leave their victim in the hands of their counsel and abstain from appearing on the Bench during a judicial investigation in which they are the prosecutors?

MR. SPEAKER

said, the rule with regard to Questions was, that Questions are permitted to be put to Ministers of the Crown relating to public affairs, and to other Members relating to any Bill or Motion connected with the Business of the House, in which such Members may be concerned.

MAJOR JERVIS

said, he wished to put a Question on this subject to the First Minister of the Crown. It was his (Major Jervis's) duty about eighteen months ago to ask the right hon. Gentleman who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, in the case of a prosecution of Governor Eyre, the Government meant to afford him that legal assistance which he had a right to expect? He was then informed that the Government meant to do what was right, and that they would render him all the assistance in their power. He now wished to ask, Whether, under all the circumstances, it was still the intention of the Government to afford ex-Governor Eyre, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, that legal assistance to which a man in his position was entitled at their hands; or whether it was to be understood for the future that a man who undertook the defence of a Colony rendered himself liable to be put in the felon's dock without re- ceiving the slightest assistance from those who should stand by him?

COLONEL STUART KNOX

I will again ask the hon. Member for Westminster the Question I have addressed to him on Monday next, and I hope he will be prepared to give me an answer.

MAJOR JERVIS

As I have not received an answer, I will put my Question on the Paper, and ask it again.