COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES. (Hansard, 2 June 1924)

§ 46. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD
asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in the issue of the "Daily Herald" of the 29th May an account was given of certain proceedings of the Committee of Privileges, and that the editor then stated he had no apology to offer to the House; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
The Report of the Committee of Privileges is being circulated this afternoon. The statement to which the hon. Member draws my attention belongs to that type of conduct which asks for, but ought not to receive, further notice.

§ Sir K. WOOD
When this gentleman attended before the Committee was it intimated to him that he was not to comment upon or report the proceedings?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
The Committee unanimously came to the conclusion that all its proceedings should be private.

§ Sir K. WOOD
Was he so informed?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
That point is covered by the proviso to which I have referred.

§ Mr. HOPE
Could not the Committee of Privileges take cognisance of this incident as part of the original reference without a further instruction from the House?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
I must have notice of that question.

§ Mr. STURROCK
Is it not on the whole very desirable that the freedom of the Press should be maintained?

§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMES
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a complete annotated account of the proceedings was circulated to the Press in the Lobby, and that it was merely the good sense of the Press correspondents which prevented that report of the proceedings from being published?

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
As a Labour Government is in office and as this is a Labour paper, would it not be possible for the Labour Prime Minister to invite the editor of the "Daily Herald" to come here in order that we might advertise our Labour paper?

§ Mr. HOPE
May I ask the Prime Minister if it is intended to take notice of this incident?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
It is perfectly obvious that I cannot answer that question without notice. The Committee, at any rate, would require to meet, and take evidence. Therefore, I say, if an answer to that question be really asked for. I must have notice.