§ There were eight questions on the Paper. The first addressed to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, was, by request, postponed. The others were addressed to the Chief Secretary for Ireland and the Secretary of State for War, neither of whom was in his place.
§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)put a question to the Secretary of State for War.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThere is no object in calling on the other questions, as the Ministers to whom they are addressed are not present.
§ MR. O'DOHERTYThe Minister to whom I put this question is in the precincts of the House.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat may be so; but he is not here.
§ *MR. SPEAKERI can take no notice of that; but I can call on the hon. Member to put the question if he wishes it.
§ MR. O'DOHERTYthen put another question, but no reply was made. He complained of the absence of Ministers.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman is not here, and I cannot enter into a discussion as to why he is not here.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.).My hon. and learned and gallant colleague the Member for East Clare is very anxious to have his question answered.