§ Mr. WATSON RUTHERFORDhad given notice of the following question to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that last Friday an official disclosure was made by the chairman of the Liverpool Watch Committee from which it has become evident that the present dangerous situation in Liverpool originated in consequence of and following upon the erection of an altar in a public street for which official permission was given through some blunder on the part of the authorities; whether he is aware that on Saturday afternoon last 1004 Pastor George Wise was escorted to gaol by a procession of 60,000 sympathising citizens; whether, seeing that the inquiry for which the Government have promised a Bill will necessarily be largely concerned with events connected with Pastor George Wise, it is intended to hold such an inquiry whilst Mr. Wise, being in prison, is unable to take part; and whether he can see his way to assist in allaying popular excitement by accepting Mr. Wise's solemn promise, supported by the offer of prominent citizens to be bound over, that pending the official inquiry Mr. Wise will take no part in any public meetings which could reasonably be objected to by referring to matterssub judiceand release Mr. Wise for the time being by allowing the warrant to stand over pending the inquiry?
§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENAs the hon. Member's question may appear again on the Paper, I wish, upon a point of Order, to call your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the first paragraph of the question which says: "An official disclosure was made by the chairman of the Liverpool Watch Committee from which it has become evident that the present dangerous situation in Liverpool originated in consequence of and following upon the erection of an altar in a public street for which official permission was given through some blunder on the part of the authorities." I want to ask whether, in view of the fact that there is a Bill before the House for the appointment of a Royal Commission to take evidence in regard to these disturbances, it is in order to use the Notice Paper of this House for the purpose of pre-judging the facts of the case before the investigation is held?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not think this will prejudge the question. We do not take for gospel all the words that appear in print.
§ Mr. T. H. SLOANHave the Commissioners been appointed yet?
§ Mr. GLADSTONENo, Sir.