HC Deb 11 July 1907 vol 178 cc57-8
colonel LOCKWOOD

On behalf of the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the hearing of a charge against twenty-three men of unlawful assembly at the Abbeyleix Petty Sessions Court on Saturday; what was the finding of the Court; and whether all the justices who adjudicated were appointed for the district in which they were sitting.

MR CHEERY

The charge against three of the men referred to in the Question was dismissed for want of identification. The magistrates wore equally divided in opinion upon the case as regards the remaining twenty defendants, and the case was therefore adjourned till the 20th instant, when it will be further heard. I am informed that Jill of the ten magistrates present were qualified to sit at Abbeyleix Petty Sessions.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

asked whether it was in accordance with order and etiquette for a. Member to ask a Question notice of which appeared in the name of another Member, except at the request of the latter.

*MR. SPEAKER

It is quite in order for a Member to ask a Question on behalf of and at the request of another Member, as has been the case in this instance. In an instance which occurred yesterday the hon. Member for Rutland informs me that he was asked to put the Question. † † See (4) Debates, clxxvii., 1619.

COLONEL LOCKWOOD

Is there anything improper in one hon. Member at the express request of another asking a Question for him?

*MR. SPEAKER

Nothing whatever.

COLONEL LOCKWOOD

That is all I have done. I have been specially requested by the hon. Members for East Down and Mid. Armagh to put their Questions today.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

When a Question was put in the same way yesterday the Minister who replied stated that he had written to the hon. Member in whose name it stood asking him to postpone it. That seemed to indicate that the Question was not asked by special request.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

In one case my noble friend asked me only half an hour before to put a Question on his behalf.