HC Deb 28 June 1880 vol 253 cc972-4
MR. GLADSTONE

I may remind the House that on Friday evening I expressed an opinion to the effect that we ought to proceed to consider the case of Mr. Bradlaugh to-morrow. Since that time, however, the Government have framed a Resolution which they intend to submit to the House. As, however, we think it desirable that the House should have rather more time to consider it, and as we cannot interfere with the proceedings of private Members on Wednesday, I propose, at the opening of Business on Thursday, to submit the following Resolution:— That every person returned as a Member of this House, who may claim to be a person for the time being by Law permitted to make a solemn Affirmation or Declaration instead of taking an Oath, shall henceforth (notwithstanding so much of the Resolution adopted by this House on the 22nd day of June last as relates to Affirmation) be permitted, without question, to make and subscribe a solemn Affirmation in the form prescribed by 'The Parliamentary Oaths Act, 1866,' as altered by 'The Promissory Oaths Act, 1868,' subject to any liability by statute; and, secondly, that this Resolution be a Standing Order of this House. I may, perhaps, venture to say that in submitting this Resolution I shall endeavour to confine myself to what I think will be a description of the situation, and shall not think it necessary, as far as I am concerned, to revive the general argument on which I and many other hon. Members have had an opportunity of stating our views; and, perhaps, if the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) be in the House, I may venture to express a hope that as the question will be raised, in the view of the Government, in the most convenient manner by this Resolution, he will not think it necessary to proceed with any Motion, or ask leave to proceed with any Motion, to-morrow.

MR. LABOUCHERE

After the very satisfactory Notice which has just been given by the Prime Minister, I beg to give Notice that I shall withdraw the Resolution of which I have given Notice for to-morrow.

MR. GORST

I should like to ask whether the Resolution of which the Prime Minister has given Notice will raise a Question of Privilege; and whe- ther, therefore, if the debate should be adjourned on Thursday, it would come on before the other Business on Friday, or upon any other day for which it may be fixed.

MR. SPEAKER

I have already stated in reference to this matter that the question is not one of Privilege.

MR. O'CONNOR POWER

I think it would be for the convenience of the House if I venture to put a Question to the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, and if he will condescend to answer it. It is, what course he intends to adopt in reference to the Notice of Motion which has just been given by the Prime Minister?

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

did not make any reply.

MR. CALLAN

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister will say whether he purposes that the Resolution should have a retrospective effect?

MR. GLADSTONE

Of course, my intention with regard to that matter would have no effect whatever; but I believe with regard to the force of the words, drawn as the Resolution is with reference to the recent Resolution of the House of Commons, it would have a retrospective effect in the case of Mr. Bradlaugh.

MR. MACDONALD

asked whether, in consequence of the Resolution of which the Prime Minister had given Notice for Thursday, the consideration of the Employers' Liability Bill would not have to be deferred?

MR. O'CONNOR POWER

I beg to give Notice that on to-morrow I shall put to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Devon the Question which I just now put to him.

MR. GORST

I should like to know whether the hon. Member would be in Order in putting such a Question?

MR. GLADSTONE

In answer to the Question put from below the Gangway, I am not aware how far it will be the pleasure of the House to enter into a general discussion; and unless it does so, I see no reason why the question should not be disposed of in a very limited time. At all events, we do not propose to postpone the Employers' Liability Bill.

MR. GORST

I want to know whether it is in Order for the hon. Member for Mayo to give Notice to ask a Ques- tion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Devon, as to what course he intends to pursue with respect to the Resolution of which Notice has been given by the Prime Minister?

MR. SPEAKER

The terms of the Notice of the hon Member for Mayo did not reach me. At the same time, I may say that unless they relate to some Bill or Motion before the House that Question would not be regular.

MR. O'CONNOR POWER

To prevent any misunderstanding, and owing to the difficulty of discovering to whom the title of the Leader of the Opposition may be applied, I wish to give Notice that, as the Motion of the Prime Minister will be on the Paper to-morrow, and as it, therefore, comes within the description which you, Sir, have just given, I will ask the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Devon what course he intends to pursue on Thursday with reference to that Resolution?

MR. CALLAN

I beg also to give Notice that I shall, at the same time, ask the hon. Member for Mayo, what course he and those acting with him intend to pursue in this matter?

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I wish to ask whether it is competent for one private Member of this House to ask another private Member what course he intends to pursue in regard to an Order of the Day, or a Motion for which he is not responsible?

MR. SPEAKER

Such a Question as that indicated by the hon. Member for Mayo would not be in Order. It does not relate to any Bill or Motion before the House for which the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Devon is himself responsible.