HC Deb 21 November 1882 vol 274 cc1796-8
MR. J. R. YORKE

asked the Prime Minister, Whether he had had under his consideration the methods successfully employed by some of his supporters to prevent the Resolution of which he had given Notice from coming on last night; also the steps taken in a like direction by the hon. Member for Northampton in pre-occupying the Order Book with Motions on divers subjects, so as to postpone indefinitely the opportunity which last night the right hon. Gentleman had wished him to enjoy; and whether he intended to take any, and, if so, what, steps to convince his supporters how distasteful such manœuvres were to him, and to induce them no longer to delay the institution of the inquiry in which, at his earnest invitation, he had consented to engage.

MR. GLADSTONE

This is an argumentative Question, apparently having for its object to state a case, which I feel some difficulty in answering, inasmuch as it contains recitals which, I think, are totally inaccurate. The hon. Gentleman says I earnestly invited him to engage in this inquiry. I did nothing of the kind. I pointed out that if he chose to interrupt me with such an extraordinary manifestation as he thought proper to make individually when I asserted that there was no Kilmainham Treaty as indicated by the noble Lord (Lord Randolph Churchill), then that it was his duty to take some other step; that is the nature of the invitation I gave him. It appears to me that if the hon. Gentleman really wanted an inquiry he ought to have moved for it six; months ago, when it would have been difficult for me or my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton to interpose. I have no knowledge of the proceedings of the House last night except what the hon. Member has himself; but I observed this—that the hand of the clock was moved across the mystical hour of half-past 12 by the speeches of two hon. Members who are not supporters of Her Majesty's Government.

MR. J. R. YORKE

It would have been quite impossible for me to have moved this Resolution at the end of last Session, for the Government had possession of all the time of the House. I hope, after that explanation, the right hon. Gentleman will assist me in doing that which he has challenged me to do.

MR. J. LOWTHER

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that it is not the case that he directly challenged my hon. Friend to move for an inquiry?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have correctly and accurately, I believe, recited what happened, and that I do not call an earnest invitation or challenge. I pointed out to the hon. Gentleman what, if he chose to adopt such a line of behaviour as he adopted on that occasion, it was his duty to do. That was the extent of my invitation.

MR. J. R. YORKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman enable me to do that at the earliest possible opportunity?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think it will be remembered that there were two requests, one with regard to the case of Mr. Gray, and one with respect to the hon. Member himself. I proceeded exactly on the same footing in both cases; but for me now to move the adjournment at 12.15 would be totally useless to the hon. Gentleman, as other Motions interpose.

MR. J. R. YORKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a day?

MR. GLADSTONE

If the hon. Gentleman can find a convenient and clear day, that will be a different matter; but it would be useless for me to move the adjournment of the debate now, as it would only cause a repetition of what happened last night, or else another subject, and not the Motion in question, would be brought before the House.