§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I desire to ask you, Sir, whether it is the case that you ruled that it was not competent for the hon. Member for the Bethnal Green Division (Mr. Howell) to bring before the House, as a matter of Privilege, the conduct of the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London (Sir Robert Fowler) who, he alleged, called him a "damned liar" in the Lobby? I wish to know whether it is competent to bring that forward as a matter of Privilege?
§ MR. SPEAKERI do not think the hon. and learned Gentleman is entitled to ask me that question. Nothing has passed of late to re-open the question. I think, if I recollect aright, in March last the hon. Member (Mr. Howell) came to me and made a complaint of something that had passed in the Lobby, without mentioning anything of the terms that had been used, or anything like the expression now referred to by the hon. and learned Gentleman. I endeavoured, as I always do, in the interests of the House, and I hope with the consent of the House, to make peace between the two hon. Members. The hon. Gentleman the Member for Bethnal Green said, at the time, if I recollect aright, that he left the matter entirely in my hands. He has since spoken to me on the subject; but it is impossible to revive now a question of anything that happened in March last; nor has it any reference to the question which, unfortunately, arose yesterday.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I beg to give Notice that on Thursday I shall move, as an Amendment to the Motion of the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury, with regard to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Cork (Dr. Tanner)—
That the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London be suspended from the service of the House for a month.