§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether be is aware that the hon. Member for North Westmeath, in the course of a speech delivered by him on Sunday last at Killielagh, county Westmeath, advised his audience to obtain possession of the grass farms by driving the cattle off them, and said that they had it on the authority of Lord Denman that scattering cattle was no crime if they were not houghed; and what steps he intends to take in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have seen a newspaper report of the speech referred to in the Question, but no sufficient evidence is forthcoming that the language attributed to the speaker was actually used. I am informed that the meeting referred to was a small impromptu meeting of no importance.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGArising out of that Answer, will the right hon. Gentleman place the report which he refers to before the Law Officers of the Crown and get their opinion as to whether proceedings should be taken against the hon. Member?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe right hon. Gentleman the Attorney-General informs me that he has already read, in the course of his ordinary pursuits, the newspaper report.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGThen will the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether proceedings—
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that Question.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker, I submit that in a serious question of this kind the steps to be taken by the Crown arises directly out of the Question.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe more serious the Question the more important it is that the hon. Member should give notice of it.
§ MR. MOOREMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Attorney-General whether he will call for an official report? [" Cries of Order ! order ! "]
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put down notice of that Question.