The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-03-24 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMEI

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, March 19, Lord Strathed. ttl
Campbell at some length called attention to the fo.
Policy of her Majesty's Government. The noble lord ton ;cf-'ecr
en numerous topics, commencing with the removal ( Sir'
H. La) ard from Constantinople, and ending with the n Kent
Operations from Egypt. He was of opinion that the first-
*
Mentioned step was a deplorable mistake. The last he ,' did
not condemn, though he thought that prima facie, 'II writ,
'was a case against the Government in respect cot thest
Egyption question. He moved for a copy of the tlceat,•?'
formed between Germany and Austria in 1879.
L'rl Granville was unable to follow the speech jast
dreE, ito the House, so wide had been its surve• e. As to.'
the ci:ange made at Constantinople three years ag p, in the
send ing of Mr. Goschen there to replace Sir H. I .ayard, he
anbmitted that, except in very rare 31rcum5ta11ce ,s, changes
at out. Embassies ought to be left to the discre Lion of the
Goy, nment, and that the noble lord had made out -no case
for ie.; interference of the House in this instance. It was
imp- ble for him to produce the treaty moved for by the
noble lord, because, as far as he knew, it never bed been
communicated to the Foreign Office. Certainly it had not
been since the present Government came into power r.
Lord Salisbury concurred with Lord Granville in thinking
that I erd Campbell's survey of the foreign polite}, of the
Government was too extended to form the basis ala useful
debate on the subject, and also in holding that it Would be
Impossible to produce the treaty, which had not been corn-
Imunicated to the Foreign Office when he was there.
The motion was withdrawn.
The Sale of Liquors on Sunday (Ireland) Bill passetl through
Committee; and the National Gallery (Loan) Bill ve is read a
third time and passed.
Their lordships adjourned at five minutes to six o'clock.
In the HOUSE OF CODESIps, Mr. Collings, having put a
question to the Prime Minister requesting an asieuranc
that the session will be prolonged until the measures :named
in the Speech from the Throne have been disposed et, Mr.
Gladstone said that though the House was in considarable
diffiewty with respect to its business, it had only been sit-
ting five weeks, and it would be premature to make any
Such declaration.
THE EXPLOSION AT WESTMINSTER,
Sir R. Cross asked whether, in the opinion of the Home
Secretary, the public buildings were properly guarded when
she explosion took place at the Local Government Board
Office, and whether he had taken steps to strengthen the
Police force.
Sir W. Harcourt in reply said—l am much obliged to the
right hon. gentleman for giving me an opportunity of saying
something on this point. With respect to the guard of
public buildings on the night of the explosion, I cannot
say that I think practically the supervision of the' police
was insufficient. There is one circumstance which is true,
suid that is that the policeman on the beat through
-Charles-street had a more extended beat that night than
was usual, and the cause of it was one which I think is
'well worthy of the attention of the House and also of the
Executive Government. It was the day of the University
Boat Race—(a laugh, and" Heat, hear ") ; and the enormous
Inconvenience and mischief to this metropolis of these
Spectacles is deserving of consideration. (Cheers, and
Cries of "No, no.") The House will be, perhaps, surprised
learn that it was necessary to withdraw from their
ordinary duty in London 1,500 policemen on account of
the Boat Race. Well, of course, that cannot be done
without weakening other places, and for my part, as far
as my influence can go, it will always be to resist the
:multiplication of spectacles of this kind in London. How-
-ever, at each end of Charles-street there was a policeman
Tasaing at the intervals of ten minutes, which is, of
-course, as much as can be expected, And, also, at the
,very time of the explosion I have a report from the
Police-sergeant in charge of the district. He says, "On
the 15th instant I was on duty patrolling, and I passed
the end of King-street in Charles-street about 8.30 and
again at 9 p.m., and was proceeding through King-street,
and when opposite King-street Police-station I saw a flash
Immediately followed by a terrific report, and was knocked
Into a doorway but sustained no injury." Consequently he
Was almost absolutely on the spot at the time, for it
will be remembered that this King-street Police-station,
-one of the principal police-stations in London, is within
60 yards of where the explosion took place. I need hardly
say that orders have been given to largely strengthen the
Police force over public buildings beyond what was the
case before. For that purpose, and in order to supply
the deficiency, I have given directions that a very large
addition shall be made to the police force of the metropolis.
Five hundred men will Le added in the present state of
things. (Hear, hear.) Of course, that is a thing only to be
done after the lapse of a certain time, and meanwhile I have
made application to the Military Department that the use of
soldiers shall be given for aiding the police in protecting
public buildings till the police force can be adequately
Strengthened. (Hear, hear.)