§ Report from the Committee of Privileges brought up, and read as follows: —
604§ Your Committee have considered the passages complained of in the letter which was brought to the notice of the House by Sir Herbert Williams. They are of opinion that the passages in question constitute a breach of the Privileges of the House..
§ Major Hammond Foot, the writer of the letter, has addressed the following communication to the Chairman of your Committee: —
§ Wilton Corner,
§ Wilton Crescent,
§ Beaconsfield
§ November 19, 1941.
§ To the Chairman
§ Committee of Privileges.
§ The House of Commons.
§ SIR,
§ It was with profound shock that I realized that in mentioning the Speaker's Chair, I had committed a serious breach of Privilege.
§ I had no intention whatsoever of reflecting on the action of the Speaker. In so far as my action bore that interpretation, it arose from ignorance.
§ I yield to none in my respect for the Speaker and the Privileges of the House of Commons. My Grandfather, George Hammond Whalley, died as Member for Peterborough, having held that seat for twenty-five years, and I his grandson, deeply regret that any action or word of mine should, even unintentionally, constitute an offence against the House of Commons.
§ If, Sir, the Court can pardon this grave breach of Privilege, I solemnly promise never to commit such an offence again and will do my utmost to be worthy of the pardon of the Court.
§ I am, Sir,
§ Your obedient servant,
§ E. HAMMOND FOOT.
§ Your Committee recommend that this apology be accepted by the House.
§ Report to lie upon the Table.