HC Deb 16 May 1895 vol 33 cc1340-2
MR. P. A. M'HUGH (Leitrim N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether it is a fact that the promoters of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Bill have been promised, on behalf of the Government, a day or days in the present Session for the discussion of the provisions of that measure after it has left the Grand Committee; and whether, in view of Irish opinion he will consider whether the time might be devoted to the Boards of Guardians Bill and the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act (1887) Repeal Bill.?

*Mr. JOHN MORLEY

said, he did not know that what the hon. member had stated was a fact, and in the present state of business he could not give any undertaking.

MR. W. REDMOND

asked when the Coercion Act Repeal Bill would be proceeded with?

*MR. J. MORLEY

I cannot say or give any undertaking.

MR. W. REDMOND

Arising out of that, may I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question suggested by the Chief Secretary—whether he will give an undertaking, in view of the position which the repeal of the Coercion Act occupied in the Programme of the Government before the last General Election, that that Bill will be proceeded with before the Irish Sunday Closing Bill.

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT,) Derby

I must have notice of that. It is a difficult question to answer off-hand.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask whether it is true that the Chief Secretary declared that the repeal of the Coercion Act would be the first business of the Government after they came into power, and instead of that we are to have a Sunday Closing Bill and a perpetual Coercion Act.?

*MR. J. MORLEY

I never made any such declaration.

MR. W. REDMOND

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that in a speech at Newcastle-on-Tyne——[Ministerial cries of "Order!"]

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member asked a question, and has received an answer.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask the indulgence of the House, as the right hon. Gentleman has given a denial of the statement, to put a question—whether I am correct in stating that he declared at Newcastle——[Ministerial cries of "Order!" and Chair!"]

*MR. SPEAKER

That is the same question which I ruled that the hon. Member could not ask, as he has received an answer.

MR. W. REDMOND

Then, all I can say is, the Government have broken their pledges and behaved disgracefully.—Subsequently Mr. W. REDMOND said, that he wished to offer a personal explanation as to a statement he had made with regard to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland. He had said that he understood the right hon. Gentleman to deny that he had stated at Newcastle-on-Tyne, before the last General Election, that the work of repealing the Crimes Act, commonly called the Coercion Act, would be, if not the very first, at all events one of the first, pieces of business which the Government of the right hon. Gentleman would proceed with. Would the right hon. Gentleman deny that? [Renewed cries of "Order!"]

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! This is not a personal explanation. It is a demand for a personal explanation from another hon. Member.

MR. W. REDMOND

submitted that he was entitled to ask the question of the right hon. Gentleman.

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentlemen has asked a question and has received an answer to it.

MR. W. REDMOND [speaking from his seat with his hat on]

The right hon. Gentleman cannot deny it.