§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he has seen the announcement that Her Majesty has accorded to the Lord Mayor of London the privilege of nominating several gentlemen to fill the office of Lieutenants for the City of London; and, whether, in pursuance of the policy of equal treatment of the two Countries, it is his intention to advise Her Majesty to accord a like privilege to the Lord Mayor of Dublin?
MR. GLADSTONE,in reply, said, The Government had no supervision over the municipal privileges of the City of London, and had no direct and distinct information of these privileges in particular. Nor was he aware whether its extension would, under any circumstances, be advantageous. He had not been able to learn, so far as the Department of the Irish Government was concerned, that there was in Dublin any institution or mode of action more than there was in Edinburgh which would enable them to extend to the other Sister Kingdom a privilege analogous to that in the City of London; He believed that if there was such a privilege there would be little jealousy with respect to it.
§ MR. DAWSONasked if there was not an analogous privilege connected with the Lord Provostship of Edinburgh?
§ MR. HEALYasked, were they to understand that the Queen conferred this privilege on the Lord Mayor of London without the advice or concurrence of Her Majesty's Ministers?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he did not wish to enter into the law of the case; but he was not aware that Her Majesty conferred the privilege on the Lord Mayor.
§ MR. R. N. FOWLERasked the Secretary of State for War, whether it was not a fact that these appointments were submitted to the Treasury or the Secretary of State for approval?
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid he should have had Notice of the Question; but he might state that, to the best of his be- 1125 lief, the appointment of gentlemen to the Lieutenancy of the City of London was recommended by the Lord Mayor, and approved by the Secretary of State for submission to Her Majesty.
§ MR. DAWSONgave Notice that he would ask the Prime Minister, whether, in pursuance of the rights of the City of Dublin, he would instruct himself in the law of the case, and, having done so, advise Her Majesty accordingly?
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORwished to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, whether, under existing law, the Lord Mayor of Dublin had not the power of appointing Lords Lieutenant when a Lieutenancy became vacant?
§ [No reply was given.]
§ MR. DAWSONPerhaps I can answer the Question. Not only has the Lord Mayor not the right—["Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman can put any Question he thinks proper; but he cannot enter into a debate.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORI beg to put the Question to the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Dawson).
§ MR. DAWSONMr. Speaker, I beg to answer that Question. ["Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman cannot put a Question to the right hon. Member for Carlow, because it does not relate to any subject or Motion before the House.
§ MR. DAWSONsaid, he therefore begged to give Notice to the Prime Minister of a Question on the subject.