§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked, Whether there was any truth in the statement which had appeared in the public newspapers that the Prime Minister had, at a meeting of the Conservative Party at the Carl ton Club yesterday, said that whatever revision of judicial rents took place the landlords would be compensated? That was a very strong statement; and he wished to know whether or not there was any truth in it?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I consider very great inconvenience is occasioned by the raising of a Question of this kind without any Notice whatever, and by asking a Question as to what occurred under circumstances of which the House has no cognizance. The proper occasion for raising any question of the kind is when the Order of the Day itself is under the consideration of the House. I may, however, express my extreme surprise that the hon. Gentleman, with all his experience of public life, should put any faith or trust in the statement to which he refers.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI put no faith or trust in it—I merely asked if it was true.