HC Deb 21 June 1883 vol 280 cc1145-6
MR. P. A. TAYLOR

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he has, during the past three weeks, received resolutions from numerous largely attended public meetings strongly protesting against the borough of Northampton being deprived of its constitutional representation in the House of Commons; whether he is aware that similar resolutions have been received by Mr. Speaker; and, whether, if Mr. Bradlaugh is forbidden to take his seat, he will support a Motion that a new writ should be forthwith issued for the election of a Member in his stead?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have received a variety of resolutions which purport to come, and I daresay may come, "from numerous largely attended public meetings," protesting against the present state of things with regard to the borough of Northampton. Some of them protest in language, the strength and unmeasured character of which—although I quite admit that the question is very serious, and justifies the use of language that is strong in a certain sense—I cannot help regretting. I am aware that it is mentioned that in one or two cases those resolutions have been transmitted to Mr. Speaker, and the right hon. Baronet opposite (Sir Stafford North-cote), as well as to myself. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I am not sure that the hon. Member has fully considered what it implies. He asks whether, if Mr. Bradlaugh is forbidden to take his seat, the Government will support the Motion for the issue of a New Writ for the borough of Northampton? I apprehend that the seat is certainly not vacant, and that no Writ could issue.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether you have received the resolutions referred to by the Prime Minister; and, if so, whether you deem it advisable to communicate them to the House?

MR. SPEAKER

In answer to the Question of the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that several resolutions have been sent to me by chairmen of public meetings, but they have no official character; and, therefore, I should not be warranted in communicating them to the House, which can only be properly approached by Petition on a subject of this kind.