HC Deb 16 May 1904 vol 134 cc1390-2

The following Question appeared on the Paper:—

MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial forwarded to the Department of Agriculture by the Roman Catholic clerks in the Veterinary Branch of the Department, asking for an increment of salary, was suppressed by the chief clerk, who declined to forward the petition to the heads of the Department, and threatened that any attempt at a renewal of the application would be visited by dismissal; and, if so, whether he will state if the Department is willing to consider the alleged grievances of those officials.

On being called on to put the Question the hon. Member protested that the clerks at the Table had again inserted the word "Roman" before "Catholic." He asked the Speaker if it had been done by his authority.

MR. SPEAKER

I think it is well known to most hon. Members that the word "Roman" as such is not intended, and never is supposed to be, an offensive observation or description. The word is one that is used not for the purpose of creating, but of avoiding, any feelings of religious objection or animosity of any kind. It is not objected to in that sense, and as the use of the word "Catholic" is one which is claimed by other Churches as well, the insertion of "Roman" is merely intended to avoid any dispute or difference or ambiguity, and for no other purpose is it used. It is always the practice to indicate by the word "Roman" what Church is meant.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

May I ask, in view of the fact that the word "Roman" is regarded as offensive —[MINISTERIAL cries of "No, no!"] [A NATIONALIST MEMBER: How do you know?] Inasmuch as it is regarded as offensive by the Roman Catholic Members of this House—[ironical cheers]—by Catholic Members of this House, and inasmuch as it is never used by us whether in these circumstances you will consider the inserting of the word in these Questions, against our wishes, is inadvisable?

MR. SPEAKER

I am afraid if I adopted that suggestion it would only give rise to fresh disputes. I may point out to hon. Members that one of the hon. Members from Ireland, whose religion I do not know, had a Bill last year called the Roman Catholic Disabilities Removal Bill, which he introduced under that title, and in which he speaks of Catholics throughout the whole Bill as "Roman Catholics."

MR. JOHN REDMOND

It is an historic fact, and no one can dispute it, that the appellation is always regarded as offensive by the Catholics of Ireland.

MR. SPEAKER

I should be personally extremely anxious to avoid giving offence to any denomination. I will consider the point.

MR. DELANY

I beg to give notice that I will put this Question down for to-morrow (Tuesday), in its original form, in order to secure your ruling.