§ Mr. M. FootOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I raise direct with you at the first available opportunity a question of order which may affect relations between the two Houses?
At about ten minutes past three today, in another place, the Leader of the House of Lords sought and received an opportunity to make a personal statement in which he discussed matters which had been referred to in debate in the House of Commons.
When considerable discussion is, or was, taking place in another place allegations were made that the Leader of the House of Lords, in his statement, had made imputations as to the way in which business is conducted in this House of Commons, and whether order had been properly maintained in the course of debate in this House.
These are the allegations which are being made in the House of Lords. From my own hearing I should have thought those allegations were fully justified.
Surely, Mr. Speaker, it is a very serious matter and contrary to all precedent if, as has been maintained in the House of Lords, a personal statement should be 650 used there for this purpose, and if, in fact, in the House of Lords any attempt was made to cast reflections on the way business had been done here. Surely it is a matter which would be resented by every hon. Member of this House, because it would be a reflection upon you, Sir.
Therefore, may I ask whether you will give a Ruling now about what has happened, or whether you will indicate what is the proper time when this House could express very strongly its resentment about the House of Lords being used in this fashion?
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot take notice of debates in another place. I have no power to do so, in any event. But if and when there is available a record at which I can look, I will see whether I can help the hon. Gentleman.