QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS. (Hansard, 23 February 1885)

LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNE
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is his intention to propose any such new Rules relative to admission to the House of Lords as have been made by the Speaker of the House of Commons relative to that House? Ho remarked that the fact that the House of Lords was a Court of Justice during the daytime rendered it inexpedient to apply to it precisely the same regulations as were made for the other House. The matter was one of importance, although public attention had been diverted from the doings of the dynamitards by the disastrous events which had recently taken place in Egypt. In that country they had to grieve over the loss of a most capable and disinterested Englishman. The Government was bound to protect him, whereas by gross negligence and delay they sent out relief to him at a time when it was impossible it could be of any use to him.

§ EARL GRANVILLE
rose to Order. A Notice of Motion had been given as to the conduct of the Government, and he objected to a discussion of the affairs of Egypt upon the question of the protection of the House of Lords.

LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNE
said, ho was drawing a contrast. Their Lordships were not accustomed to be so particular. The noble Lord was proceeding with further observations, when——

THE EARL OF LONGFORD
rose to Order.

LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNE
said, he would only add that, in view of recent occurrences and of the conspiracy known to be existing, it was absolutely necessary that proper steps should be taken for the protection of the House.

§ EARL GRANVILLE
said, he could quite understand the anxiety of the noble Lord which had led him to put the Question. The course which he had himself proposed, to refer the matter to the Committee of Black Rod, had received the full sanction of the noble Marquess opposite and of the House. He only wished to relieve the noble Lord from one apprehension by saying that neither he himself nor any of the noble Lords beside him were favourable to the blowing up of that House, or even indifferent to it, especially when they were in it themselves.