HC Deb 10 May 1888 vol 325 cc1811-2
MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is now prepared to grant an inquiry as to the distribution by the police of the voting papers on the proposal to establish a free library in Marylebone, and of the charge that the police in some cases distributed with such voting papers a printed paper asking the ratepayers to vote "No," and defeat the proposal?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

I can only repeat the answer I made on the 14th ultimo, when I said I should be happy to consider any evidence the hon. Member might lay before me.

MR. BRADLAUGH

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman had not received a letter from him undertaking to produce evidence before any Body appointed to inquire into the matter in support of his specific allegations—namely, that the police in some cases distributed the voting papers with a request to the elector to vote "No;" and in other cases handed over the voting papers, together with the direction to make a similar request to boys?

MR. MATTHEWS

said, he had received a letter from the hon. Member stating that he could produce evidence to that effect; but he had not produced it.

MR. BRADLAUGH

What I ask is, will the right hon. Gentleman direct an inquiry? I will undertake, on my responsibility as a Member of this House, to produce the evidence.

MR. MATTHEWS

I cannot undertake to direct an inquiry till I know what is the evidence that will be forthcoming.

MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

desired to know if it was the duty of the police to deliver these papers?

MR. MATTHEWS

said, it was no part of the duty of the police; but it was frequently done by the men as a special duty, for which they were specially paid.

MR. BRADLAUGH

I wish to know whether, in addition to my special pledge to produce the evidence, the right hon. Gentleman requires me to furnish beforehand the names and addresses of all the witnesses?

MR. MATTHEWS

I have only to repeat my previous answers. If the hon. Member will lay before me any materials on which he thinks an inquiry ought to be made, I will consider them.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Then, Sir, I beg to give Notice that in consequence of that answer I shall submit the evidence on the Vote for Sir Charles Warren's salary, and the House will then be able to judge of it.