§ Major ARCHER-SHEEI desire to raise a point of Order. During questions I was asking Question No. 54 when the hon. Member for West Belfast (Mr. Devlin) made an observation to me of a most offensive character. He said: "You ought to be the last person to bring charges against anybody." He was heard by several hon. Members behind me. I desire to ask you whether it is in order for hon. Members to make offensive remarks of that character to Members while they are asking questions, remarks which are mendacious and absolutely without any foundation whatever?
§ Mr. DEVLINThe hon. and gallant Gentleman has said that I made an observation of an offensive character towards him when he was asking a question. That is a misstatement; I did not make the observation then, but when he put a supplementary question which in my judgment, and in the judgment of all who listened to it, was of a personal and most offensive character. It was not a series of questions, but a series of observations which hon. Members on these benches resented. I did say to him that he should be the last to make these charges. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because I was one of those who strongly supported the attitude which he took up when he occupied a large portion of a Session of Parliament in resenting charges made against relatives of his own. Those charges were proved to be untrue, and no one was more delighted than I was. The charges which he continuously levels across the floor of this House at Ministers, who have been also proved to be falsely charged—proved by a Select Committee of this House—are charges which hon. Members will not listen to without resentment.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member will have seen that trouble has arisen in consequence of the supplementary question, and not in consequence of that which was on the Paper. I pointed out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman at the time that the supplementary question was an improper one. I regret that the incident has occurred between him and the hon. Member for West Belfast, but he must not put the whole of the blame on the hon. Member for West Belfast.