HC Deb 24 November 1882 vol 275 cc17-8
MR. BLAKE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is his intention to comply with the request made to him some days since to receive a deputation of Members representing Irish Maritime Counties for the purpose of making a representation respecting the desirability of renewing the advances in aid of local efforts towards the construction of Fishery Harbours; and, if so, will he be kind enough to appoint some day before the greater part of the Maritime Members will have left for Ireland?

MR. COURTNEY

The hon. Member asks me whether I will receive a deputation of Maritime Members from Ireland. I confess, Sir, that I have an abiding aversion to receiving deputations; not so much on account of the consumption of time they involve, as because they proceed from the assumption that personal solicitation secures an attention denied to written Memorials. however, if the hon. Member and his Friends think they have something to tell which cannot be put in writing, I will arrange to meet them some day next week.

MR. BLAKE

Am I to understand that the hon. Gentleman declines to accede to the request to receive a deputation on the subject?

MR. COURTNEY

If the hon. Gentleman has anything to say that he cannot put in writing, I will arrange a meeting.

Mr. BLAKE

In compliance with the request of the hon. Gentleman, I put the whole matter in writing and asked him for a reply. He gave me no satisfactory answer as to whether he would receive a deputation or not. I wish, therefore, to ask him if——

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member, if he desires, can put a Question arising out of the answer of the hon. Gentleman; but he is not at liberty to debate the matter.

MR. BLAKE

I beg respectfully to ask the Prime Minister, If he will receive a deputation of Irish Members for the purpose of making a simple representation with regard to harbours in Ireland, the Secretary to the Treasury having declined to do so?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. I understood the answer of my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury to be that if the hon. Gentleman, and those on whose behalf he spoke, are of opinion that any useful purpose would be served by any further exposition of the question, he would be ready to receive them.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

I beg to ask Mr. Speaker, as a matter of Order, whether an hon. Member of this House has not a right to demand an interview with a Minister?

MR. SPEAKER

The Question the hon. Member puts to me does not arise on any point of Order with reference to the answer of the Secretary to the Treasury.

MR. BLAKE

On a Question of Order I beg to press the hon. Gentleman for a distinct answer as to whether he will or will not receive a deputation?

MR. COURTNEY

I have twice stated that if the hon. Gentleman has anything to say that he cannot put in writing, I will make arrangements to see him.

MR. BLAKE

I have asked a plain Question and I want a plain answer.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman is not entitled to debate the matter. He has put a Question twice and received two answers. He is not entitled to pursue the matter further.

MR. BLAKE

Then, Sir, I will ask the same Question on Monday, and every following day, till I get a satisfactory answer.