§ Mr. C. PannellI have given you notice, Mr. Speaker, of a matter I wish to raise now. I complain of a cartoon which appears in today's Evening News. [Laughter.] I hope that hon. Members in all parts of the House will be sufficiently sensitive of their reputations not to laugh too soon.
The cartoon shows the Houses of Parliament in the background and New Palace Yard with a crowded car park and a caption underneath, which reads:
Very thoughtful o' them. M.P.s giving themselves such a generous Supplementary … Nice there's one place in London where a gent can be sure o' getting a drop.You will note, Mr. Speaker, that in this case, in contradistinction to a matter raised yesterday, the narrow term "M.P.s" alone is used. The cartoon shows "spivs" siphoning, or "milking", petrol from what presumably are hon. Members' motor cars, from full petrol tanks—an operation which is itself illegal. If I may say this in parenthesis, I am not sure that the presence of "spivs" in New Palace Yard is not itself an affront to the reputation of Parliament. There are, of course, far fewer cars these days in New Palace Yard.I submit that this is an even more flagrant affront than the one complained of yesterday by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Sir C. Taylor), and which concerned the Sunday Express. You will remember, Mr. Speaker, that that case was unanimously referred to the Committee of Privileges. While that complaint must be considered sub judice, the Evening News has added contempt of this House to flagrant insult.
In asking you, Sir, to rule that there is a prima facie case for the cartoon and its caption being considered, with the other matter already referred to, by the Committee of Privileges, then, in fairness to the reputation of the House, and of hon. Members in all parts of the House, I must affirm that this innuendo that hon. Members are getting privileged treatment 1103 compared with the generality of the public at a time of shortage is a malicious, frigid and calculated lie, indicating either stupid ignorance or studied perversion. I fear the latter, and I hope that you will agree with me, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member should bring the paper to the Table.
§ Copy of the said newspaper delivered in, and passage complained of read.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member was good enough to give me notice of this matter shortly before the House met and, in view of what the House decided yesterday, I think that I should accept a Motion.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)In view of your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, and of the statement made by the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. C. Pannell), I suggest that the Committee of Privileges take notice of this cartoon in addition to the other matter which was referred to the Committee yesterday. I therefore beg to move,
That the matter of the complaint be referred to the Committee of Privileges.
§ Mr. BellengerMay I put this point to the Leader of the House? The House is due to rise for the Christmas Recess in three days' time. Is this not a matter which should be dealt with expeditiously, before the House rises, so that any con- 1104 tempt which might be found should not be allowed to continue?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. We have already finished our consideration of the case raised by the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis), which was put to the Committee of Privileges. I do not think that there is any breach of Privilege in my saying that the Committee is meeting again this afternoon. This is not an easy question, but we shall endeavour to reach a conclusion as soon as possible.
§ Question put and agreed to.