HC Deb 15 July 1881 vol 263 cc1012-3
MR. LABOUCHERE

I rise to ask you a Question, Sir, in regard to a Question of my own. On Wednesday last I handed to the Clerk a Question respecting certain occurrences in Bulgaria. It was addressed to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Clerk in his judgment has not placed it upon the Paper, and he has told me that he has not done so because it contained an attack upon an individual. I do not wish in any indirect manner to read this Question in asking whether it is a proper one. There are, in fact, two Questions. The first is—["Order !"]

MR. SPEAKER

I feel bound to interpose between the hon. Member and the House. The Question was brought to the Clerk at the Table; he consulted me about it, and by my authority he informed the hon. Member that such a Question was quite irregular. It was irregular in many respects; and after an intimation of that kind I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should bring the matter forward in the way he has done.

MR. LABOUCHERE

In these circumstances, I shall conclude with a Motion. My sole object——

MR. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member intends to conclude with a Motion for the purpose of bringing forward, under cover of that Motion, a Question already declared to be irregular, I shall decline to put that Motion to the House. And I trust that the House will support me in so doing.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I really do not wish to raise this question in any offensive way; but I do think there is a very important principle involved in the second Question. It is this, whether——

MR. SPEAKER

I consider the course taken by the hon. Member to be extremely irregular; and I must caution him that, if he insists upon proceeding, I must take notice of his conduct.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Of course, I shall not go on if you say that; but I desire to ask whether there is any other way in which I can bring the matter of the second Question to the knowledge of the House?

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has been already informed that he cannot bring the matter forward in the form of a Question addressed to Ministers. The Question as submitted was full of controversial matter, and was in other respects irregular, and the Clerk at the Table properly informed the hon. Member, by my authority, that the subject of that Question, if brought forward at all, must be brought forward by a Motion on which there could be debate.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Then I give Notice that I shall bring the subject forward in that way, though I suppose it will be next Session before I can do so.