§ MR. E. JENKINSsaid, with reference to the question raised on the previous day with regard to the vacancy in County Clare, he wished, as a matter of Privilege, to put a Question to the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He wished to explain, with regard to the Committee resolved upon last evening to inquire into the circumstances of the holding by Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, the Member for Clare County, of the Attorney Generalship of the Colony of Victoria, that the decision of the Select Committee might affect two or three Members of the House. It was very well known that the hon. Members for Sheffield and Pontefract and himself had held offices under a Colonial Government, at the same time occupying seats in that House, and the decision of the Committee might have an unexpected effect. He, therefore, asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it would be possible so to extend the scope of the inquiry as that the circumstances might be inquired into under which Members of that House representing Colonies were permitted to retain their seats while receiving pay from those Colonies?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I have not had time to consider the matter very fully; but my impression is that it would be better to limit the inquiry of the Committee to the particular point that is before it. I do not think that the inquiry will be likely to raise the question in which the hon. Member is interested; but that is a matter which, if necessary, may be made the subject of inquiry. I think it would be preferable to keep to the objects for which the Committee is appointed, considering the time of the Session?
§ MR. E. JENKINSsaid, that it might be suggested to the Committee that there were precedents for persons keeping their seats in that House and still holding office for the Colonies.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUEROh, no doubt.