HC Deb 20 April 1893 vol 11 cc779-80
MR. DODD (Essex, Maldon)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having in view that the Lord Chancellor declined to exercise upon his own responsibility his power of appointing Justices of the Peace in the counties of England, Scotland, and Wales unless directed or supported by a Resolution of this House, the Government will themselves propose such a Resolution, or will assist private Members proposing such a Resolution to obtain the opinion of this House thereon, by moving the suspension of the Twelve o'Clock Rule when such matter is before this House, or will in some way provide an opportunity for procuring the decision of this House speedily thereon?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, Midlothian

I believe that there is every likelihood of the Resolution to which the hon. Member refers coining under discussion, and if it does it will not require to be discussed by speeches at great length. At the same time, it would be desirable that the discussion should not be absolutely stinted, but in proportion to the importance of the question. I may suggest, however, that the Government will be better able to judge what the discussion is likely to be when we get nearer the time for it, and then we can consider whether it is a case for the suspension of the Twelve o'Clock Rule.

MR. STOREY (Sunderland)

May I ask the Home Secretary if before the discussion we may expect the Return ordered on this subject?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.

I will answer that to-morrow.

MR. MAC NEILL

Will the scope of the discussion extend to Irish Magisterial appointments?

[No answer was given.]