§ Mr. SpeakerYesterday, the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) raised with me a complaint of breach of Privilege relating to an article in the Sunday Express newspaper of last Sunday. I am obliged to him for the courteous manner in which he did so in circumstances difficult for any hon. Member.
I have consulted precedents and considered the matter. The question for me is whether or no the article or the words therein said to have been used by my wife constitute prima facie a contempt of this House of Parliament so as to entitle the hon. Member's complaint to precedence over the Notices of Motions and Orders of the Day standing on the Order Paper of Public Business of this House. In my opinion, they do not.
I regret that in this matter duty requires me to be a judge in my wife's cause, which is my own, but I cannot, in the service of the House on that account, allow myself to create a wrong precedent. I take comfort in the knowledge that my Ruling cannot in any way detract from the ancient and absolute right of this House to deal with such a matter precisely as it thinks fit.
§ Dr. SummerskillWhile we recognise your difficult position, of course, Mr. Speaker, and we accept your Ruling, may I say this to the House? As this statement did reflect adversely on the work of 25 Members of the House, could the editor of the newspaper be asked to retract it next Sunday if it was a misquotation?
§ Mr. SpeakerI hope that I might be allowed to treat that matter as a personal one. I take full responsibility for what is done. I think it wiser that I should say no more.