HC Deb 20 August 1887 vol 319 cc1255-6
MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present a Petition numerously signed by the inhabitants of White chapel and surrounding districts, including Clerkenwell, praying for the further respite of the condemned man Lipski.

Petition laid on the Table.

MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM

As the Home Secretary is not present, I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether Her Majesty's Government have under consideration the additional evidence adduced since the trial, and think fit to grant a further period for inquiry?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I must again, Sir, protest in the strongest manner against any attempt being made to bring Parliamentary pressure to bear on the Secretary of State in the discharge of his solemn and responsible duty. He is acting under a deep sense of his own responsibility; and I again say in this House that nothing could be more injurious—nothing could more seriously interfere with the discharge of that important duty—than the attempt to bring Parliamentary pressure to bear upon him. With my right hon. Friend rests the responsibility of advising the Crown; and that responsibility ought not, in my humble judgment, to be interfered with by any attempt such as has been made in this House.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (Mr. COURTNEY) (Cornwall, Bodmin)

said, he was somewhat surprised to find that the hon. Member had presented to the House a Petition that ought not to have been presented at all to the House of Commons. That Petition was addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and it should have been laid before him at the Home Office.

MR. SPEAKER

The presentation of the Petition to this House is altogether irregular if it be addressed to the Secretary of State, and no notice, consequently, can be taken of it.

MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM

With the permission of the House, I wish to say that I was not aware the Petition was addressed to the Secretary of State, and I must apologize for being out of Order. May I inquire what course I have now to adopt?

MR. SPEAKER

If the Petition be forwarded to the Secretary of State, no doubt it will be considered in the ordinary way.

MR. COURTNEY

removed the Petition from the Table, returning it to Mr. CONNINGHAME GRAHAM, at the same time remarking, "It is addressed to the Secretary of State."