HC Deb 16 July 1896 vol 42 cc1647-8
SIR HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the judgment pronounced on Tuesday night by the representatives of Scotland upon the scheme proposed in the Agricultural Rates, etc. (Scotland) Bill for employing the sum of £214,000 allocated to Scotland, thirty-three Scotch Members having opposed it, while twenty-one supported it, Her Majesty's Government intend to proceed further with that Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The principle underlying the Question is to me an entirely novel one, and it is not, I think, one that could be accepted. If, however, the Scotch and the Irish and the Welsh representatives who sit behind the right hon. Gentleman are prepared not to take any part by speech or vote in questions affecting England, of course I shall be ready to reconsider my position. [Laughter and cheers.]

MR. DILLON

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that English Members will not take part by vote or speech in Irish questions? ["Hear, hear!"]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I asked hon. Gentlemen opposite to set an example. [Laughter.] When that example is set I will consider the matter.

MR. DILLON

We cannot answer the question of the right hon. Gentleman until we know. [Cries of "Order!"]

MR. LABOUCHERE

I wish to ask whether, if the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion were accepted, we should not be deprived of the intervention of the right hon. Gentleman himself in English matters. [Laughter.]