§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if there is any truth in the report of the speech delivered this afternoon by the noble Lord at the head of the Government, in which it is distinctly stated that he called upon the Orangemen of Ulster to fight in the event of a decision adverse to the present Government being come to at the General Election; and, further, I wish to ask if there is any truth in the report of the speech of the noble Lord where it is said that he stated—openly stated—that in the event of the Orangemen of Ulster—a very unlikely event—taking up arms in support of their so-called interests, the Forces of the Crown should not be used against them, and that, for his own part, he would do everything to prevent the Military Forces being employed against these men in case they rebelled against the decision of Parliament and the Crown? I want to know if there is any truth in the assertion that the noble Lord used this language, which I find reported in the evening papers? I think, at any rate, we may expect some explanation from the noble Lord's relative.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs I was not so fortunate as to hear the speech to which the hon. Member refers, I am not in a position to answer the question he has put to me.
§ DR. TANNERI will ask the question on Monday.