§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I have waited some minutes in the full expectation that the Leader of the House would have vouchsafed some explanation as to the prodigies which have appeared in the political sky; but, as the noble Earl is silent, I am compelled, according to what I believe is the usage, to ask whether any explanation will be given of the resignation, if it is true, by a Member of your Lordships' House whom we all highly respect, of the highly responsible Office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; whether it is true that the Office is to be held in commendam as a subordinate Office of the Lord Presidency of the Council by the noble Lord who now occupies that post; whether such a junction, if it be 1788 a fact, is to be held to indicate that the arrangement is provisional, or that the existence of the Lord Lieutenancy is provisional, or that the existence of the Lord Presidency is provisional; also, whether we are to infer from this change that any change is also about to take place in the policy of Her Majesty's Government in Ireland; and whether they have any new measure or new proposals to announce with respect to the appalling condition into which Ireland has lapsed? But, first of all, and most of all, for what reason it is, if a reason can be given, that the Lord Lieutenant has resigned?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I have been some time longer than the noble Marquess in this House, and I am not aware of the precedent on which he rests for asking nine Questions without the slightest Notice, either public or private. If the noble Marquess will repeat his nine Questions on Thursday, I will endeavour to give an answer.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I wish to give Notice that I will ask the noble Earl, in order to give him time to ascertain the facts, which, no doubt, he has not had an opportunity of ascertaining, whether Lord Cowper has resigned; whether Lord Spencer is to hold the place, in commendam; and whether Her Majesty's Government have any new policy in regard to Ireland; and what are the reasons for Lord Cowper's resignation? I can perfectly understand that the noble Earl is ignorant on these subjects.
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, as the noble Marquess has reduced the number of his Questions from nine to four it will make it easier for me to answer them.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI will ask the Questions to-morrow.