§ MR. DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the meetings held every Sunday on the Custom House steps at 625 Belfast lead to riot and disorder, and the statements of Protestant clergymen that they are the direct cause of drunkenness amongst the Protestant working class, instructions will be given to have the Custom House railed in, as in the case of the Dublin Custom House.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe question has been previously considered by me. The expediency of enclosing the steps of the Custom House in Belfast, with the object of prohibiting, or otherwise regulating meetings, is, as I have already stated, very doubtful. The circumstances which led to the enclosure of the steps of the Custom House in Dublin were of a different character.
§ MR. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Sunday last scandalous scenes took place on the Custom House steps of Belfast, and that an old man was knocked down and nearly murdered? I will further ask him whether he is going to allow these riotous scenes, held under the auspices of a so-called religious organization, to continue from Sunday to Sunday.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI cannot discuss the use made of my discretion by way of Question and answer, but if the hon. Gentleman objects to it he can call attention to it in Committee of Supply. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman thinks it would conduce to good order in Belfast to put up a railing, which, in all probability, would be pulled down, thus increasing the disorder.
§ * MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Arising out of the Question, I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider the advisability of railing in the Nationalist Benches, for the same reason.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The Question on the Paper was whether the Chief Secretary would consider the advisability of railing in certain steps. He says he has considered it and does not think it advisable. There really is nothing more to be asked on this Question.
Several Nationalist Members rose to ask further Questions.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI must ask hon. Members to remember that there is a limited time for Questions, and there are others which have to be answered. If hon. Members have other Questions to ask which cannot arise directly out of this Question, they must give notice of them in the ordinary way, and let other Members take their turn.
Several Nationalist Members again rose.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI must ask hon. Members to pay attention to my ruling. I assure hon. Members that I have every desire, in proper turn and time, that every Question should be answered. But there are some Questions that ought not to be asked as supplementary, and ought to be put down as fresh Questions, and I think really that this Question has been completely answered. I trust hon. Members will accept that statement. I have stated what I consider to be the rule.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn a point of order, Sir, I propose to submit a Question arising out of the Question.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat is not a point of order.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI know that hon. Members, in one sense, might ask many questions arising out of the Question on the Paper, but that is not the sense in which the word is used here. A supplementary Question must mean one that is necessary for the complete explanation of the answer actually given, or to supplement an omission in the answer. This Question has been fully answered, and I must ask hon. Members to accept that.
§ MR. MACVEAGHOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker——
§ * MR. SPEAKERIs the hon. Gentleman going to submit another Question?
§ MR. MACVEAGHNo, Sir, I am not. I propose to ask you whether, when you are satisfied in your own mind that a Question on the Paper has been fully 627 answered, we are to understand that it is not competent for any Member of this House to put a Question arising out of that answer?
§ * MR. SPEAKERIt is not a Question arising out of the answer in the sense in which those words are used here. If the Question has been fully answered, and the proposed supplementary Question does not arise out of the answer, it must be treated as a new Question.