§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLI desire to call the attention of the House to a newspaper article in which there is a breach of the privileges of this House. The article in question was published in an Irish newspaper on Friday last, and, therefore, this is the first opportunity anyone could have of bringing it before this House. The article impugned the impartiality of Mr. Speaker, and, of course, I should have preferred, in those circumstances, to have brought it before the House while Mr. Speaker is in the Chair, but as you are aware, Mr. Whitley, it is necessary to bring it before the House on the first opportunity. I do not know whether, in these circumstances, it would be possible for me to defer the further mention of the matter until Mr. Speaker is in the Chair. If not, I am prepared to put the case before you, Sir.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERI think the hon. Member is right in raising the matter at this moment, and I think if it is of the nature he describes, it would be desirable both to him and the House that it should be taken by Mr. Speaker. I will see that he does not lose his right if he postpones the matter until to-morrow's sitting.
§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLI am much obliged to you for the statement you have made, and in the circumstances I defer to it, and shall not refer further to the matter now on the understanding that I shall have the right to do so then.