HC Deb 28 March 1904 vol 132 cc859-60
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

said he would ask the Chief Secretary a Question of urgent public importance, namely, whether he had any information as to the alleged dispersal by violence of a meeting in Dublin by the police.

MR. WYNDHAM

said he had no information, but he would make inquiries in the course of the afternoon.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg, then, to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent matter of public importance, namely, the conduct of certain members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police in dispersing by force and violence a peaceful meeting of citizens on Thursday night last.

MR. SPEAKER

I could not accept that Motion with the prospect of the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill being taken to-day. The hon. Member can discuss the action of the police on that Bill, and it is a very well known Rule that an hon. Member cannot move the adjournment of the House when there is a debate coming on on which it is open to him to raise, the same subject.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Might I ask you, Sir, very respectfully, whether, if the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill comes on, you will call me?

MR. SPEAKER

I need not say that I will bear in mind the hon. Member's wishes, but I cannot enter into pledges.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

asked whether, in view of the fact that he might not be called on in the debate on the Consolidated Fund Bill, and as this was a matter involving the right of public meeting, he might not move the adjournment.

MR. SPEAKER

I think not. The hon. Member's Question was asked after five minutes to three o'clock, and as he stated that it was an urgent matter of public importance, I could not stop him until I had heard what it was. I am clearly of opinion that it was not a matter of urgent public importance, and the Question might have been put on the Paper. I cannot allow the hon. Member to move the adjournment.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

said he had had no opportunity of putting the Question on the Paper. The Rules precluded his getting an answer by the holidays.

MR. SPEAKER

I have given my decision, and I must abide by it.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

gave notice that he would raise the matter on the Consolidated Fund Bill.