§ MR. BARCLAYasked the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, From what newspaper he the other night read a paragraph stating that eight persons in Taunton, whose names were mentioned, were members of the International, and were said to have signed the Republican document? As a matter of fact, no such persons existed in Taunton, for that borough was as loyal as ever.
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEsaid, had the hon. Member given him Notice of the Question, he would have brought the extract with him; but he would endeavour to find it and communicate it to the hon. Gentleman, because he quite agreed in thinking it a matter which should be cleared up. But, as the House knew, he never made a statement except upon well-founded authority. ["Question!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe Question is, that Returns be ordered of the number of Houses assessed to House Duty in the year ending on the 5th day of April 1871, in each county and division of a county in England and Wales, distinguishing the number charged as follows:—Under £30; £30 and under £50; £50 and under £100; £100 and under £150; £150 and under £200; and so on, rising progressively £50; and, showing also the total amount received in each county and division of a county (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper No. 384, of Session 1867).
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANErose to Order. A question having been put to him, he wished to know whether he was 1269 not entitled to state the authority on which he had made his statement. He read from a printed document extracted from a newspaper, and he should be happy to communicate it to the hon. Gentleman, while, at the same time, he was very happy to hear that the Society had no branch in Taunton.