HC Deb 15 June 1880 vol 253 cc69-70
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can state to the House what offices in Ireland are in his patronage, and the statutes or other authority by virtue of which such patronage is vested in him; whether, in addition to such patronage (if any), there has, under the arrangements of the Irish department of the present Go- vernment, been also vested in him, in whole or part, the patronage which by statute or the Queen's Patent rightfully belongs to the Lord Lieutenant; and, whether, with a view of giving the House information on the subject, he will lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of Her Majesty's Letters Patent under the Great Seal, appointing Earl Cowper, K. G., Lord Lieutenant General and Governor General of Ireland; and also a Copy of the Warrant, Letter, or other Document whereby the Chief Secretary was appointed?

MR W. E. FORSTER

Sir, in order fully to answer the Question of the noble Lord, I should have to detain the House with a somewhat long speech; and I cannot but think the matters referred to would be more fitting for a Motion than a Question. If the nolle Lord brings on a discussion about them I shall he ready to take part in it. I doubt there being much practical advantage in such discussion; but that I must leave to the discretion of the noble Lord. Meantime, if he will put in the form of a Return the information he desires, I will tell him whether I am able to give it to him. I do not know whether it is necessary for me to add that I know of nothing novel in the relations orarrange-ments between my noble Friend the Lord Lieutenant and myself, either as regards patronage or anything else.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I beg to give Notice that I will call attention to this matter at an early opportunity, and as soon as possible after the publication of the documents to which the right hon. Gentleman refers.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I shall wait for the noble Lord to move for those documents, and for him to say what documents he wishes laid on the Table. I did not issue any invitation to him to move for those Papers.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Then, does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to grant the documents?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

If the noble Lord will put that and other matters in the form of a Return, I will be happy to consider the question.