§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee, with power to take evidence, to investigate the allegations made by the Junior Member for Northampton in a letter dated 2nd December, 1887, and published in The Times 3rd December, 1887?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I need hardly say that I do not consider—however eminent the parties may be—that 259 in a dispute of the character to which the hon. Gentleman refers it would be fitting or proper that the House of Commons should appoint a Select Committee; and I am fortified in that view by the knowledge, officially conveyed to me, that the subject matter is before a Court of Law and will shortly be tried.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHWhat the right hon. Gentleman says is not quite accurate—I do not mean that he has not been so informed, but that there are no proceedings that will enable the investigation to take place. If the noble Marquess will acknowledge the letter signed "R. T. Gunton," which I have no means of proving, then I will undertake to raise the issue in a Court of Law.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI will undertake to communicate at once with the Prime Minister on the subject.