HC Deb 07 May 1919 vol 115 cc919-20
Sir D. MACLEAN (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the interesting but controversial articles appearing in the "Daily Telegraph" and purporting to be written by Lord French, the Viceroy of Ireland; whether the publication of such articles is considered by the Government to be in consonance with the duties and responsibilities of that high office—

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman is not entitled to ask any question respecting the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. If he has any criticism to make he must do it by putting a Motion down and raising it in the ordinary course of Debate.

Captain ORMSBY-GORE

Would it not be in order to raise a question touching Lord French's position as a Field-Marshal and therefore subject to the King's Regulations?

Mr. SPEAKER

No. Lord French is Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and as such his salary comes upon the Consolidated Fund; that being so, he is among those who are excepted from criticism except in that special form. If the hon. Member puts a Motion down in that special form and raises it, then it can be discussed.

Sir D. MACLEAN

We are always making some slight changes in the de- velopment of our Rules and practices in the House, and I do not know whether the development of the Viceroy of Ireland into a British journalist would in any sense affect—

Mr. SPEAKER

Those are statements which should not be made and which the right hon. Gentleman should not make, especially standing at that box, particularly after the statement which has just fallen from me from the Chair.