HC Deb 02 November 1949 vol 469 cc405-6
Mr. Austin

I wish to raise a point of Order on which I seek your guidance and advice, Mr. Speaker. During the Debate last night on the Clothing Industry Development Council two hon. Members opposite referred to a minority of employers in the industry who were prepared to co-operate with the Government as "Quislings." When we get a full interpretation of the word we find that it is a term of opprobrium and contempt and means "traitor." May I ask for your Ruling whether honest and decent public-minded citizens, whoever they may be, are to be protected from the use of such terms? With a view to informing the hon. Members concerned, in order that they may be in their places tomorrow, may I ask whether you will be kind enough to give your Ruling tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker

I understand the hon. Member gave notice about the word "Quisling" used in the Debate last night and I am prepared to give a Ruling because it was used twice. If the hon. Member is referring to the phrase of the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Shephard) which appears in column 322 of yesterday's HANSARD, there is nothing unparliamentary in that. It did not refer to any individual in this House and, although it may not be a pleasant expression, it is not out of Order. As the word "Quisling" was not applied to any particular individual it is, therefore, not out of Order. If complaint is made of the interjection by the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Attewell), which also appears in column 322, the word "Quisling" was applied to the whole of the Opposition and is an offensive epithet which may not be desirable in our debates but, unless it is applied directly to an individual, or to particular persons, the Chair would not necessarily order its withdrawal.

Mr. Austin

I wish to thank you, Sir, for your Ruling;but may I point out that all persons who reside in this country are involved in the Constitution and accept constitutional rights and ought to be free from any such taint as implied by that epithet.

Mr. Speaker

I have nothing to add to what I have said already.

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask, Sir, if, in view of your Ruling, you will consider this. As this Gentleman, Mr. Quisling, was a Commander of the British Empire, would not the application of "Quisling" therefore be limited?

Mr. Speaker

I think we had better get on.

Mr. Nally

On a point of Order. I have in my locker a speech delivered by a distinguished member of the party opposite in which he referred to those persons who had taken office and were members of boards or directorates of nationalised industries and who had gone from private enterprise to those boards in quite specific terms. He said that anyone who leaves private enterprise to go to a nationalised undertaking constitutes a "Quisling." I would like to ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker. Are we to assume that where the word "Quisling" is used in this House in such a way as clearly to identify a group of people, a small group of people, it will be out of Order?

Mr. Speaker

On the Debate of last night I have given my Ruling on the word "Quisling." It may be an offensive word, but is not out of Order and therefore that is my Ruling.