§ Mr. SpeakerYesterday, the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Mr. Wilkins) raised with me the question of a letter dated 22nd June, addressed"To all Members of Parliament" upon letter paper headed,"Textile Action Group". The hon. Member read it, and I do not propose to read it again. I observed that when the hon. Member referred 213 to this as"highly offensive" his observation appeared to be widely acceptable to hon. Members.
The problem for me is the narrow one, namely, does the hon. Member's complaint raise prima faciea breach of the privileges of this House? To quote the Report of the Committee of Privileges of 18th October, 1946, in the case of Mrs. Tennant's posters:
The borderline between legitimate political activity and illegitimate pressure upon Members of the House of Commons must sometimes be difficult to determine. The circumstances of the time, the form and place of publication, and the interpretation to be put on the words used, as well as the intention of the author, inter alia, are relative factors in cases such as the present, and opinion may reasonably differ as to the importance to be attributed to each of these factors.I have carefully considered the hon. Member's complaint in the light of the precedents. My predecessors have similarly had their attention drawn to such circulars and have deprecated them as thoroughly reprehensible. The House may remember an instance on 4th November, 1953, on which Mr. Speaker Morrison pronounced, in column 150 of HANSARD; on 18th December, 1946, on which Mr. Speaker Clifton Brown pronounced, at column 1968; and an even earlier instance in the Session of 1877 which Speaker Brand dealt with in almost identical terms.My conclusion is that while the language used in this circular is reprehensible and calculated, in the minds of most hon. Members, to produce an effect opposite to that which its authors intend, yet I could not consistently with recent 214 precedents rule that it raises prima facie a breach of Privilege.
If the hon. Member desires to pursue the matter further, he is still entitled to table a Motion for consideration by the House, which is the final judge on matters of Privilege, but I ought to tell the House that I have this morning received a letter in manuscript in the following terms:
Dear Mr. Speaker,The Textile Action Group understand that a letter sent by us to all hon. Members of Parliament has caused great offence. We are deeply sorry for this and extend our sincere apologies to you, Mr. Speaker, and all Members of this House.It is signed by the person who appears to have signed the original letter.All that my reply upon the prima facie position means is that I cannot allow the hon. Gentleman's complaint precedence over the Orders of the Day.
§ Mr. WilkinsMr. Speaker, may I thank you for the care and consideration you have given to the matter which I raised with you yesterday? I would only add that I hope that, in view of the apology which has been tendered to you, the House will accept, as I do, the opinion and advice that you have offered.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am obliged to the hon. Member.