AN ABSENT M.P.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15872, 11 April 1917, Page 8

AN ABSENT M.P.

» THE CASE OF COUNT PLUNKETT. (from otm own coruksfondknt.) LONDON", February 27. The Speaker and Parliament are now, considering the novel caso of Count Plunkett. The Count was arrested during -the Dublin disturbances and brought to England. Ono of his sow was executed and another has been exiled for. the part they took in the rising. Quite recently Count Plunkett was compelled to retiro from certain official positions which ho held in Dublin, and at the same tim© the Njortlh Roscommon seat fell vacant. Count Plunkett was nominated as the Sinn Fein candidate, and was permitted by the Government to return to Ireland. Elected by a huge majority over the Nationalist candidate, the Count' has complicated matters by declining to sit in what he calls a "foreign" Parliament. A correspondent points out in "The Times" that the Conn't appears to be the only member of Parliament .who has ever declined to tako the oath and his seat, in the House of Commons. "Therefore in order to deal with him, if tho House chooses to do so, a fiew ruling or preoedent will liave to be made. There is a constitutional ton on every member to Attend the sittings of the House. Up till quite recently a member who contemplated a long absence had to obtain tho leave of tho House before ho was free to go. Motions for 'leave of absence' havo appeared on the Order Paper within tfio memory of tho older members of the House. Failure to attend did not, howeror, vacate a seat. According to Sir Erskino Slay, tho carnses of vacancy are the death of members, "their elevation to the peerage, the aoooptance of office under the Crown, bankruptcy, and lunacy, and tho determination or Election Judges that elections cor .returns are void. There is _ one other 'Oaase—expulsion by resolution of the House in the case of members convicted of felony. Bui none of these instances apply to Count Plunkett. In fact, lie cannot resign his seat, cvm if ho desired to do so. A member onc>e elected can only cease automatically to represent his constituents by reason of his death or the dissolution of Parliament. Ther© are several instances in tho textbooks whero tho House has refused to set a member free even on account of physical incapacity or a personal unwillingness to attend. Tire only means of escape from his obligation which a member has is his appointment to tb<" Chiltern Hundreds, and .that can b< withheld by the Chanoellor of the Exchequer." All the old expedients for compelling attendance iave fallen .into disuse. Coming to what tho House can do. the. correspondent argues:—"lt might bo held that Count Plunkett is technically guilty of a contempt of the House by refusing to take his seat. A resolution could bo passed calling upon him to attend. If ho declined to comply within a fixed period tha Speakers Warrant could bo issued for his arreet or his seat could be declared vacant. Tho only caso in any way like that of Count Plunkett is that of Coleman O'Lougblin, who was elected for Clai» during his absonco in Australia, and did not come ovor to take the oath and liis seat as ho had soon after been appointed 'to office in the Colonial Government. A committee appointed bj the House of Commons to consider the matter reported that the seat was vacant." Tho Speaker's attention has been called to tho question, and ho has promised am early reply.