HC Deb 09 April 1930 vol 237 cc2171-2
Colonel HOWARD-BURY

I desire to ask your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, on a matter which occurred this afternoon. You have always ruled that it is not correct for reflections or insinuations to be made against any distinguished strangers that may be visiting this country. There is here at present the deputation of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, and there seems to be an attempt to make use of this House for the purpose of making insinuations against the Grand Mufti. The hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), in a supplementary question, deliberately accused the Grand Mufti of engaging in propaganda against the British Government. That is absolutely untrue, and it is making use of this House for propaganda purposes. I desire to ask your Ruling upon the matter.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to Question No. 19, in the name of the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Marjoribanks), in which this same dignitary is accused of propaganda against the French authorities? May I ask whether it has ever been held in this House, where a dignitary in receipt of Government money engages in illegal activities, that the matter should not be brought to the attention of the Colonial Office?

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

On that point, may I ask whether it is not most deplorable that these various points in dispute should be repeatedly brought up in this House and discussed, very much to the detriment of the question as a whole, and very derogatory to the mandatory Power?

Mr. WALLHEAD

May I also draw attention to the use that is made of this House for attacking a friendly Power, namely, the Soviet Government of Russia?

Mr. SPEAKER

The original point of Order put to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) was whether it was in order, in asking a supplementary question, to cast reflections on a distinguished stranger. I can cover all the questions that have been asked with reference to that matter by saying that it is quite out of order either by a question or a supplementary question to cast reflections on distinguished strangers or on other strangers. That covers the whole point.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is it not a question of fact?