§ MR. E. HARDCASTLE (Salford, N.)presented a Petition from the inhabitants of Salford, praying for the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the municipal contracts of that borough.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I beg to ask whether, under the Standing Orders of the House on Petitions relating to matters of personal grievance, urgent in character, discussion can arise on the Petition which has just been presented? The allegation is that there have been gross frauds at Salford, a man now being in gaol in connection with them, and that an endeavour is being made to compromise the fraud in behalf of people alleged to be parties to 1810 it by the payment of a large sum of money. It is felt that immediate action should be taken, in order to prevent a defeat of justice.
§ *MR. SPEAKERI do not think that this is a case which comes under Standing Order No. 20, which makes exception of instances of personal grievance. If the hon. Gentleman had presented a Petition from any person in gaol there would have been a distinct difference in the case. As I understand it, the case is one of a general grievance, which the hon. Member can take an early opportunity of bringing forward.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGHThe grievance is rather a personal one of the ratepayers, who have been defrauded of an enormous sum.
§ MR. SPEAKERThat is the very distinction to which I referred. The Standing Order makes exception in favour of personal grievances of such pressing urgency as to justify immediate Debate. The case which the hon. Member has brought forward is one of general grievance.