HC Deb 20 June 1902 vol 109 cc1327-8
MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)

I beg to ask the first Lord of the Treasury the following Question, of which I have given him private notice—"Whether, in view of the decision of the House to appoint a Committee to inquire into the circumstances of the imprisonment for contempt of court of the hon. Member for North Leitrim, and the fact that the hon. Member will be required to give evidence before the said Committee, he will say if the Government will order the discharge of the hon. Member at once or at the expiration of seven days, which is the maximum sentence allowed to be inflicted for contempt of court by ordinary Petty Sessions Courts in Ireland; and if not, can he state what steps can be taken, and when, to secure the attendance of Mr. M'Hugh to give evidence before the Committee."

MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)

I apprehend that the proper course to take will be that if the Committee which is to be appointed to inquire into the case of Mr. M'Hugh arrived at the conclusion that the hon. Member ought to be examined before them at all, they will report that fact to the House, and if the House agrees with the Committee, I have no doubt that Mr. Speaker will take the proper steps to secure his attendance. But it would be quite improper that anything should be done at the present time.

MR. P. J. O'BRIEN

When is the Committee likely to be appointed?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As soon as possible.

Adjourned at twenty minutes before Six o'clock till Monday next.