HC Deb 30 October 1882 vol 274 cc374-5
SIR ALEXANDER GORDON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, during the next Session of Parliament, he will introduce a Bill to amend the wording of the sixth section of the Ground Game Act of 1880, so as to give practical effect to the evident intention of the Legislature, when passing the Act, that persons having a right to kill ground game should be allowed to employ spring traps in holes made by rabbits?

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

I rise to Order. I wish to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the hon. and gallant Baronet has not introduced debatable matter into this question by his allusion to the "evident intention of the Legislature?"

MR. SPEAKER

The words should have been left out; but, at the same time, I see no reason for interposing between the hon. and gallant Member and the House.

MR. HEALY

asked the Speaker whether, in cases of this sort, it was the practice for the Clerk at the Table to submit such Questions to the Speaker before they were altered? Objectionable words in Questions by Irish Members were, he said, very quickly struck out.

MR. SPEAKER

There is no doubt that any material alteration is always submitted to the Chair.

SIR ALEXANDER GORDON

said, he would be glad to put the Question another day, if there was any doubt about its propriety. ["No, no!"]

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

The fact is, I am not able to give any very distinct answer to this Question. I had an impression that the law was as the hon. and gallant Baronet evidently wishes it to be. If he will communicate with me privately I will look into the matter.