MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)I rise, Sir, for the purpose of bringing under your notice a point of procedure which involves also a Question of Privilege. I desire your ruling as to what course ought to be followed by a Select Committee of this House, in the event of any information coming before it which reflects upon the conduct of a Member of the House, and in that connection I beg to call your attention to the Resolution passed upon the 16th of March 1273 1688—[laughter],—which is in the following terms:—
if any information come before any Committee that chargeth any Member of the House, the Committee ought only to direct that the House be acquainted with the matter of such information without proceeding further thereupon.I wish to ask whether that Resolution is still in force. I may lie permitted to add that I bring forward no particular instance or case, desiring only your ruling as to the general practice which operates as regards Committees of this House.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe Resolution of 1688, to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, is no doubt still part of the practice and rules of the House. I need not refer more particularly to the Resolution, as the right hon. Gentleman has read its terms. All I can say as to the course to be taken by a Committee is that when any case arises to which that rule is applicable it is obvious that the proper course is to report to the House.