HC Deb 13 November 1882 vol 274 cc1327-9
Mr. SPEAKER

acquainted the House that he had received the following Letter from Mr. Bradlaugh, one of the Members for Northampton:—

To the Right Honorable the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Sir,

On the 21st February last I, as I then believed and still believe, in exact compliance with the Statute and Standing Orders of the House, took and subscribed the oath by law required, and took my seat as Member for Northampton. For this the House judged right to expel me, without permitting me to be heard in explanation, or in statement of the reasons which seemed to me under the law and custom of Parliament to justify my action. A new writ being issued, I was on the 2nd March re-elected, and since that re-election I have not yet presented myself at the table for the purpose of taking my seat according to law. From the Votes of the House I have learned that by an order of 6th March the House has resolved, without having heard me on my own behalf, that I shall not be permitted lo fulfil the statutory requirement to enable me to take my seat.

In order to avoid the repetition of the appearance of personal conflict with the House, a friendly suit, exactly as the suit of Miller v. Salomons, was commenced against me by one of the electors of Northampton, to obtain a decision of the High Court of Justice as to my legal rights and duty. This suit the Court has yesterday formally refused lo hear.

I have therefore, Sir, through you, to ask that the House will permit me, one of its Members, to be heard at the Bar, that I may state the grounds of law on which I claim to be entitled to fulfil the law and take my seat.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your most humble and obedt. Servant,

Cha. Bradlaugh.

20, Circus Road, St. John's Wood, N. W.

11 November 1882.

MR. LABOUCHERE

As I believe it is impossible, as a matter of Privilege, to move that Mr. Bradlaugh be heard at the Bar of the House, and as, in view of the Obstructive tactics of hon. Gentlemen opposite during the present Session, I do not wish to stand for a moment between the House and the passing of the Rules of Procedure for which we are called together, I merely rise to give Notice that the first time I can do so consistently with the Rules of the House I shall move that Mr. Bradlaugh be heard at the Bar.

MR. NEWDEGATE

Mr. Speaker, in the letter you have read from Mr. Bradlaugh he refers to the case of Mr. Alderman Salomons—["Order!"]

MR. LABOUCHERE

Mr. Speaker, I rise to Order. I would ask you, Sir, whether the hon. Gentleman is in Order in discussing the matter? I am ready to discuss it; but I believe I should not be in Order in doing so.

MR. SPEAKER

In pursuance of my duty to the House I have read the letter of the hon. Member for Northampton, and upon that letter having been read Notice of a Motion has been given. The matter is so far at an end that no debate can arise upon it, because it is not a question of Privilege.

MR. NEWDEGATE

I do not wish in any way to transgress your ruling, Sir. I have merely to state that it is within my knowledge—["Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member desires to debate the matter in any form he must give Notice of a Motion.

MR. NEWDEGATE

Then, Sir, I will move the adjournment of the House, for the purpose of saying it is within my knowledge that the statement in Mr. Bradlaugh's letter, that his case before the Court stood on the same ground as that of Mr. Alderman Salomons, is an absolute mis-statement. I will not say a misrepresentation, because I do not know that Mr. Bradlaugh could be aware of the difference of the circumstances between his case and that of Mr. Alderman Salomons—but I have special knowledge in the matter. And now, Sir, having, I hope, dispelled what might be a misunderstanding, or contributed towards doing so, I beg to withdraw my Motion.