HC Deb 11 February 1937 vol 320 cc598-600
Mr. Lennox-Boyd

After such very weighty national business, I am grateful, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity of making an explanation on a matter almost entirely of personal and rather trivial importance. The House may remember that on Monday last I addressed to the Foreign Secretary a supplementary question relative to the Soviet Ambassador, which drew an adverse comment from the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell). Thinking that the situation might develop, which did in fact develop, I sought out the hon. Member and asked him whether it was his intention to raise the matter further in the House. He told me that it might be so, that he was considering the matter, adding—though this is scarcely relevant to my explanation—that if he could get me into trouble he would do so. On the following day I came to the House to see if there was a message from the hon. Member informing me of his intention. I found no such message. I was within the precincts of the House and anxious and ready to give an explanation. The first I heard about it was a comment of an adverse kind made during the Division that followed immediately after—a comment on my absence. I only ask for this opportunity to give this explanation in case—though I hope the fear is fantastic—anyone in this House May feel that I was afraid of anything the hon. Member might say.

Mr. Shinwell

After the explanation given by the hon. Member which is not at all consistent with my recollection of the matter, and having regard to the subsequent event when the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lennox-Boyd) without any provocation whatever used language to myself personally of an unparliamentary character, my only comment is that the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire is just the kind of gentleman I thought he was.

Captain Ramsay

On a point of Order. The subject was raised in this House arising from the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lennox-Boyd) on the action of the Ambassador of the Soviet Government. May I ask—

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of Order.

Captain Ramsay

I wish to ask whether it is in order to call in question in this House action such as the publication of this pamphlet, put into my hands this morning, which has just been published by the Spanish Embassy?

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the explanation made, is it in order for an hon. Member on the other side of the House to come over to this side and in the most violent manner call another hon. Member "a bloody swine"?

Mr. Speaker

If an hon. Member calls another hon. Member any names of that kind in this House, naturally I call him to order. Until that happens I cannot do anything.

Mr. Gallacher

Further to that point of Order. I ask whether it is in order, not for an hon. Member to stand up at these benches and use that language, but for an hon. Member to come over from the other side of the House without your knowledge and in the most violent manner use language of that kind to a Member of this House? I heard him [HON. MEMBERS: "Name"] The hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire [Mr. Lennox-Boyd].

Mr. Speaker

If it is done without my knowledge I cannot intervene.

Mr. Garro Jones

May I ask how long it has been permissible for an hon Member to have the right to raise, by way of personal explanation, on the Floor of the House, the subject-matter of conversation which has taken place in private, and whether the subsequent proceedings to-day do not indicate the undesirability of raising such matters on the Floor of the House?

Mr. Speaker

I deprecate the raising of matters such as these on the Floor of the House. Hon. Members are always entitled to make a personal explanation, and, in doing so, they have always my protection.

Mr. Lees-Smith

Is it not a rule of the House that in making a personal explanation an hon. Member shall not use the opportunity to attack another hon. Member?

Mr. Speaker

That is so.