HC Deb 02 August 1888 vol 329 cc1248-9
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

, who had the following Question on the Paper:—"To ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Mr. Buckle, editor of The Times, came to see him in reference to the allegations against Members, along with the proprietor of that journal, or separately; and, what were the date or dates of the interviews," said, he would postpone the Question, but asked whether there was anyone who could propose the Motions of which Notice had been given in the name of the First Lord of the Treasury (for suspending the Midnight Rule and applying the Closure after 1 o'clock)?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)

Yes, Sir; it is proposed to move the two Motions which stand in the name of my right hon. Friend, and I am prepared to answer the Question of the hon. and learned Member if he wishes it.

MR. T. M. HEALY

stated that he had received a letter from the Private Secretary of the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. W. H. Smith), desiring that the Question might be postponed, as the right hon. Gentleman had to attend the funeral of Admiral Codrington, and could not be in his place at Question time. After hearing that letter the right hon. Gentleman could take his own course.

MR. GOSCHEN

I think I can answer the Question. My right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury has had no communication with Mr. Buckle at all on the question. He has not seen him, and has not been called upon by him.

MR. T. M. HEALY

As the right hon. Gentleman takes upon himself to answer for the First Lord of the Treasury without being asked, I will ask him if he can state whether the First Lord of the Treasury saw Mr. Leycester, chief reporter of The Times, in the Gallery of this House, several times on this question?

MR. GOSCHEN

No, Sir; I cannot answer this Question without information.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

With reference to the manuscript read on Thursday, the 12th ultimo, by the First Lord of the Treasury, when the right hon. Gentleman was understood to say that the Government would frame a Bill to institute a Special Commission to report upon the charges and allegations against Members of Parliament only, I wish to ask whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that the manuscript read by the First Lord of the Treasury was sent to members of the Press Gallery, where it was seen by several gentlemen, and whether it is not a fact that the words "and other persons" did not appear in that manuscript?

MR. GOSCHEN

I have no knowledge whatever of the manuscript having been sent to, or not having been sent to, the Reporters' Gallery. They were the notes of the First Lord of the Treasury, and they were not in the possession of any of his Colleagues.

MR. SEXTON

asked, whether the manuscript was or was not sent to the Reporters' Gallery? Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether it did or did not contain the words in question?

MR. GOSCHEN

I have never seen it, and I am not aware that any of my Colleagues have ever seen it. Therefore, I cannot say whether it contained the words or not.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked, whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer knew whether the First Lord of the Treasury would be willing to give the date of his interview or the dates of his interviews with Mr. Walter?

MR. GOSCHEN

No, Sir.