§ Colonel WEDGWOOD(at the end of Questions): I desire to call attention to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley Division (Lieut.-Colonel James) on 15th April last, and the answer in writing of the Secretary of State for India, and to ask you whether you, Mr. Speaker, have received any letter from Mr. Syad Hussein respecting this question, which makes a charge of criminal and dishonourable conduct against an honourable man, and, if so, whether you will communicate the letter to this honourable House?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have received a letter from Mr. Syad Hussein, and I communicated it to the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley. I know nothing further with regard to it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDo I understand that there is no reply from the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not ask him any questions.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand from that that a charge of a personal nature may be made in this House about British citizens, and that they have no opportunity of testing that charge or bringing it before any sort of Court?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am sorry to say that that is a matter which occurs almost daily. Members make use of their privileges here in order to make all sorts of statements.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not the fact that that is generally reprobated from the Chair?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is a special privilege that hon. Members have. I should be reprobated if I attempted to interfere.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDo you not usually exercise some sort of censorship over questions, and when they make personal attacks on people do you not prevent their being put on the Paper? That, at least, is my recollection of your usual procedure. Do I understand that in the case of Indians this does not hold good?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWhat I reprobate is personal questions from one Member as to another Member. I do not like these questions with regard to persons outside the House, but I have not the power, even if I had the wish, to stop the putting of them.