HC Deb 29 June 1939 vol 349 cc630-1
Mr. Logan

May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to Questions 77 and 79 on the Order Paper to-day—

77. Colonel Wedgwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the persistence of the Irish Republican Army outrages, he will now consider deporting Irish Republican Army-suspects who are also Irish citizens, and treating would-be immigrants from Eire as in the Dominions?

79. Colonel Wedgwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the Metropolitan Police were born in Eire, and whether he can obtain similar figures for the police forces in Manchester and Liverpool?

The questions have not been answered, but I want to ask for your Ruling in regard to the impropriety of putting such questions on the Order Paper of this House. There is the word "suspects" in Question 77, which I think should never have appeared, and in Question 79 there is a suggestion which, I think, should never have been made. I cannot say anything in regard to whether Irishmen should be in the Manchester, Liverpool or Metropolitan forces, but I want to ask you whether such questions should be put in regard to such a contented and well-deserving body?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think there is anything out of order in the questions.

Mr. Logan

My point is that, owing to the delicacy of things at the present time, there are Irish people in this country who deserve the protection of the House, and I consider that no imputation whatever should be made in a question by any hon. Member which he is not able to substantiate by facts.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of Order.