HC Deb 09 March 1886 vol 303 c298
SIR JAMES CORRY (for Mr. JOHNSTON) (Belfast, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will lay upon the Table of the House the Address presented, on Thursday the 4th instant, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, to the Lord Lieutenant, in which it is said— We are firmly persuaded that the maintenance of the legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland, in its full integrity, is essential to the material prosperity and the internal peace of the country; and the Presbyterians of Ireland, amounting to half a million of the population, will, therefore, oppose to the utmost of their power every measure which would tend to disturb it?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

Mr. Speaker, I confess I do not see the object of laying on the Table of the House Addresses presented to the Lord Lieutenant which are already published in the daily papers. However, if the hon. Member thinks fit to move for this particular one I shall, of course, have it laid upon the Table.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

Did the Lord Lieutenant make any reply to the Address; and, if so, will that be laid upon the Table?

MR. JOHN MORLEY

I really cannot say.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

Will the Return include the reply?

MR. JOHN MORLEY

No doubt, if the hon. Member will move for the reply as well as the Address, he can have it.

SIR JAMES CORRY

On behalf of my hon. Friend I beg to give Notice that I will move that the Address and reply be laid on the Table.