§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S), referring to the action of Mr. Speaker in stopping him putting a Question in which he applied the term "illegal" to certain proceedings on the part of the Natal Government, asked Mr. Speaker if he would lay down how far the term was to be barred. Did it imply or infer a rule that the term was not to be used in reference to the administration of Colonies having responsible Government?
§ MR. SPEAKERWhen I stopped the hon. Member yesterday he had not completed his Question; but, when he had reached a point imputing illegality to the Natal Government, I thought it was time 1244 to intervene. It seems to me that it is undesirable, by moans of a supplementary question, to make observations of that kind which are very much resented by the Government to whom they apply.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI want to guard against any restriction on absolute freedom of discussion in ordinary debates in this House in reference to the internal administration of Natal.