§ SIR JOHN BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the action of certain landlords on the line of route of Her Majesty's procession through South London, who are taking proceedings for the eviction of their tenants, with the view of letting their houses for large sums on the occasion of the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee: and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter? I also wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman a Question of which I have given him private notice. It is whether the magistrates would have the power to adjourn their decisions until after June 22?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member brought that Question to the Table, and was there told that it was out of order. [Laughter.] If he was not satisfied, he should have appealed to me.
§ SIR J. BRUNNERI am sorry, Sir. I thought a Question on the present state 1185 of the law would be in order, and beg you to believe that I would not do anything contrary to your ruling. [Laughter.] I would now like to ask the Home Secretary whether he would permit me to hand to him a copy of a notice which has been given to me to-day, and has been addressed to several tenants on this line of route, which is headed,
Re Approaching Celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, to be held in June. I have been offered a sum—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is not asking for information, but whether he may be permitted to hand a document to the Home Secretary. Of course, he is permitted to hand it without asking leave. [Laughter.]
§ MR. C. J. DARLING (Deptford)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in answering the Question, he will at the same time answer a Question of mine on the Notice Paper, although, without any authority from me, it has been put down for Thursday? It differs from the present Question in this respect, that it asks whether the Home Secretary or the Government could in any way divert the route as at present arranged, so as to contravene any scheme of this kind which may have been resolved upon [Cheers.]
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYIn answer to the hon. Baronet opposite, I have no particular information on the subject. I have noticed, of course, the rumours which have been reported in the newspapers, but I have no authority whatever to take any action in the matter; and, with reference to any subsidiary Question, if I am in order in replying, I would say I think it would be highly improper on my part to indicate to any magistrate in London the course which he might take in any proceedings which might be instituted. As regards the Question of my hon. and learned Friend behind me, the Home Office has no power whatever to settle what route Her Majesty may be disposed to take in making her procession through London.