HC Deb 20 November 1882 vol 274 cc1726-7
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Perhaps, Sir, you will allow me to ask a Question on a point of Order? I wish to draw your attention to the Order Book of the House, where you will observe that the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) has placed for to-morrow and several following days up to the 1st of December Notices of Motion relating to his Colleague, the other Member for Northampton (Mr. Bradlaugh), the Northampton Election, and other matters connected with it; and I desire to draw your attention to the fact that these Notices of Motion were not placed in the Order Book of the House until after the hon. Member for East Gloucestershire (Mr. J. R. Yorke) had given Notice of a Motion for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the release of the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell); and I would ask whether the hon. Member for Northampton is in Order in placing on the Order Book for several days to come Notices of Motion relating to the other Member for Northampton, substantially identical in their object, though varying in their terms; and if this course is taken to prevent the hon. Member for Glouces- tershire from bringing on his Motion, whether such a proceeding is not only an invasion of the Forms of the House, but a gross irregularity?

MR. LABOUCHERE

I venture to ask you, Sir, whether the noble Lord has a right to describe my Notices of Motion as identical? My Motion for today is that, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that all duly-elected Members of Parliament should be allowed to affirm their allegiance, and that applies to every other Member of the House, as well as to my hon. Colleague. I wish also to ask whether the Orders of the Day will not come before the Notices of Motion on Monday?

MR. SPEAKER

My attention has been called to this matter. I have looked into it, and I am bound to say that the course proposed to be taken by the hon. Member for Northampton is highly inconvenient, if not irregular. I have examined the several Notices of Motion referred to by the noble Lord; and, although they may not be identical, if some of the Motions were negatived by the House, many others could not be put, as being substantially the same.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

After your ruling, Sir, may I be allowed to ask the hon. Member for Northampton whether he will take off the Notices alluded to?

MR. LABOUCHERE

I would ask again whether Orders of the Day on Monday have not precedence of Notices of Motion?

MR. SPEAKER

It is well known that that is the case.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I must press the hon. Member to give me an answer to my Question. [Mr. LABOUCHERE: Notice.] I wish to know whether, after your decision, the hon. Member will not at once remove the Notices he has placed on the Paper?

[No answer was given.]