§ MR. J. G. HUBBARD (London)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the renewed agitation in Wales against the recovery of tithe rent-charge, and of the violent resistance opposed to officials fulfilling their lawful duty, by bands of men organized and directed by the "Anti-Tithe League," the Government will issue Proclamations in Welsh and English, declaring the illegality of these tumultuous proceedings, and will also direct prosecutions to be instituted against the leaders of this criminal conspiracy?
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)Sir, I rise to a point of Order; and wish to ask whether your attention has been directed to the form of this Question? It is a Question about the agitation against tithes in Wales; and I would direct your attention to the latter part of the Question—
Declaring the illegality of these tumultuous proceedings, and will also direct prosecutions to be instituted against the leaders of this criminal conspiracy.I wish to know whether the House should keep upon its records a Question which assumes that the agitation which these persons are engaged in is a "criminal conspiracy?"
§ MR. SPEAKERI think that the assumption to which the hon. and learned Gentleman alludes ought not to be made in the Question.
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)In replying to the Question which has been put to me, I will omit all reference to the character of the agitation. I am very glad to say I am informed that the agitation is subsiding in. Wales with regard to the tithe rent-charge, and that people there are beginning to see the necessity of complying with the existing law.