§ Sir F. BANBURYI wish, Sir, to raise a question of privilege. I wish to ask your ruling on this question. I find the "Westminster Gazette" publishes details of the scheme of the Memorandum of the Development Grant, and it is stated that this Memorandum has been circulated to Members. I have been to the Vote Office, and am informed that the Memorandum is not procurable. The question I wish to raise is whether it is not a breach of Privilege for a paper to have given to it a Memorandum dealing with an important matter in this House when the Memorandum has been withheld from Members of Parliament? I bring the matter forward now because the Standing Orders say that any question of privilege must be raised immediately it becomes known to any Member who desires to raise it.
The CHAIRMANIn reply to the hon. Baronet on the question of Order, the case which he has raised—which is a case, I understand, of information having been given to a paper before it is given to Members of this House—is not one which so obviously concerns the privileges of the House that I should feel myself justified in suspending the work of the Committee and sending for Mr. Speaker. Furthermore, I think I am justified in adding that I do not think the hon. Baronet would be in any way prejudiced in calling the attention of Mr. Speaker to the matter, if he so desires, either to-night or to-morrow. I think he would not be prejudiced in that by my refusal now to suspend the work of the Committee.
§ Sir F. BANBURYI am much obliged for your ruling. I will call the attention of Mr. Speaker to the matter this evening.