§ 28. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the fining and imprisonment of Mr. J. J. Scorey, editor of an English newspaper in Malta, and the suspension of his newspaper for two months; and if he will cause to be reprinted in HANSARD the sentences whose publication led to the infliction of these penalties.
Mr. Creech JonesMr. Scorey has asked for, and been granted, stay of execution on grounds that he is applying for special leave to appeal to the Privy Council. In the circumstances, any statement at this juncture would be inappropriate.
§ Mr. DribergCould my right hon. Friend answer the second part of my Question, as it cannot possibly be sub judice.
Mr. Creech JonesIt is whether I will cause to be reprinted in HANSARD the sentences whose publication led to the infliction of these penalties. I am quite prepared to do that, but I warn the 1663 House that it would give a most unfair and unreasonable presentation of the facts in this case.
§ Mr. DraysonIs it not a fact that the matter referred to deals with the question of the Governor losing his temper at a meeting where he is alleged to have thumped the table and said, "We are the masters now"?
Mr. Creech JonesI would point out that it is exceedingly unfair, if this matter is going to the Privy Council, as probably it will, for me to make any comment upon the proceedings complained of?
§ Mr. StanleyWhatever the feelings of hon. Members may be on this case, must we not always keep in mind the fact that this House has recently given Malta self-government, which entails that we should leave responsibility for matters of this kind to their elected representatives?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf I understand it aright, this case is going to the Privy Council and therefore it is sub judice. We ought not therefore to ask any further questions.
§ Mr. DribergOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. With all respect, the second part of my Question cannot possibly involve anything which is sub judice: it merely concerns making available to hon. Members material on which they can form their own opinion about the matter. That was all I was pressing my right hon. Friend to do.
Mr. Creech JonesOn that point of Order. It is precisely because hon. Members cannot form a judgment that I thought it wise not to comment. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] If these extracts are printed, hon. Members will not be in a position to form a judgment on the case.
§ Mr. Frank ByersFurther to that point of Order. Is it not a fact that the House is entitled to have information upon which hon. Members can form a judgment? The Colonial Secretary has just suggested that the House is not capable of forming a judgment. Is it not possible to have this information presented to the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not think that is so. This is not a point of Order at all. I said that if this is going to the Privy 1664 Council it must be sub judice, and we ought to be very careful what we say about the matter.
§ Mr. DribergWith all respect—
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not going to pursue this matter any further.