§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)I wish, Mr. Speaker, to draw your attention to a speech delivered by the hon. Member for Jarrow on the 20th inst., and to ask whether that speech does not constitute a breach of the privileges of this House, being a direct reflection upon other hon. Members, The words I wish to take exception to, and which more especially constitute a grave libel on hon. Members sitting round the hon. Member, are—
Mr. Pete Curran, Labour M.P. for Jarrow, declared at Tottenham that being in the House of Commons did not tend towards a man's moral and intellectual improvement—[laughter and 1739 cries of 'Agreed']—and he questioned whether he was equal intellectually to what he was years ago. [Laughter.] He was doubtful whether he had ever before been in such bad company as that with which he had been compelled to be associated in his experience as t Member of Parliament, [Laughter.]Arising out of the decisions of Sir Erskim May, I wish to ask whether that is not libel on the Members of the House, and more especially on the hon. Members amongst whom the Member for Jarrow sits.
§ MR. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member asks me my opinion on the speech I shall give him no answer. If he asks me whether in my opinion it constitutes a breach of privilege, in any way, I say not. Every hon. Member is entitled to form his own opinion of the company amongst which he sits.