HC Deb 06 November 1882 vol 274 cc866-7
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

I beg to ask a Question of the Leader of the Opposition—[Cries of "Which?"]—of which I have given him private Notice—I mean the right hon. Member for North Devon. I beg to ask him, Whether he proposes to bring forward any Motion condemning the military position in Egypt, which in the country he declared to be unjustifiable and unnecessary?

MR. LEWIS

I rise to Order. I beg to call your attention to the fact that there is no Motion or Bill on the Paper to which this Question refers.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

At least, I might ask whether I am entitled to put the Question.

MR. SPEAKER

Strictly speaking, the hon. Baronet is not entitled to put the Question.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I do not know whether I may be allowed to ask, as a matter of courtesy, whether the hon. Member received a note from me last week, in which I stated that I presumed I would not be allowed to answer the Question, but telling him what my answer would be, and that I would do nothing to compromise my freedom in the matter? I have already to-night given a Notice with reference to this Question.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

I should not have asked the Question if the right hon. Gentleman had given any Notice concerning the war; but the Motion of which he has given Notice concerns the future policy of the Government.