HC Deb 23 March 1875 vol 223 c222
MR. WHALLEY

said, he had received a letter from his hon. Friend the Member for Stoke stating that he was compelled to be unavoidably absent from the House, and he therefore begged, on behalf of the hon. Member, to ask the Question No. 5 on the Paper. [Cries of "Read, read!"] Well, the Question was very lengthy, and he did not think it was necessary to read it. ["Read, read," and "No!"]

MR. SPEAKER

Does the hon. Member ask the Question?

MR. WHALLEY

said, he thought the better course for him, under the circumstances, was to withdraw the Question.