§ COLONEL NOLANasked, if there was any truth in the report that the hon. Member for Carlow (Mr. Edmond D. Gray) had been sentenced to three months' imprisonment and to a fine of £600 by Mr. Justice Lawson in respect of articles appearing in The Freeman's Journal? If it were true, he would wish to point out that a very serious step had been taken. Many English Members might not be aware of it, but The Freeman's Journal, of which the hon. Member for Carlow was the proprietor, represented the views of the Catholics of Ireland; and if a war was to be waged upon the Catholic Press after this fashion, and such extremely heavy sentences were to be given, it would be considered by the Irish people as a crusade against Catholics, and might result in serious consequences.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is referring to a matter of which the House has no knowledge. If the statement which he has made is correct, no doubt, in the ordinary course, the fact of the imprisonment of a Member of this House will be communicated to the House in the regular way. The House at present has no knowledge of the matter, and I am bound to tell the hon. and gallant Member that it is a matter which could not be debated upon the third reading of the Appropriation Bill.
§ COLONEL NOLANsaid, be wished to raise the question, by objecting to the Bill, on the ground of its including the salary of Mr. Justice Lawson.
§ MR. SPEAKERTo put the hon. and gallant Member in Order, I am bound to tell him that he would not be in Order in debating this question upon this Bill.
§ Main Question put.
§ The House divided:—Ayes 57; Noes 4: Majority 53.—(Div. List, No. 340.)
§ Bill passed.