§ Sir Herbert Williams (Croydon, South)At the earliest possible moment I desire to bring to your attention, Sir, this document purporting to be signed by Major Hammond Foot, which I received during the Recess. Certain paragraphs of this document seem to constitute a gross breach of the Privileges of this House. In view of the circumstances of to-day's Sitting, I would ask your permission to defer raising the precise matter of Privilege until the Sitting Day next but one after to-day.
§ Mr. SpeakerThese matters of Privilege should always be raised at the earliest opportunity, and the hon. Member, seeing that the House has not been sitting, has raised this question at the earliest possible moment. It would be inconvenient at the end of a Session that a matter of this kind should be raised now, because the procedure which would have to be adopted, if a prima facie case were made out, could hardly be carried out. I am perfectly willing, therefore, to allow the hon. Member to raise this matter on the next but one Sitting Day.