HC Deb 15 February 1965 vol 706 cc855-7
Sir Herbert Butcher

Mr. Speaker, I have to raise a matter of privilege, of which I have given notice to you and to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Duffy).

The issue of the Sunday Express of Sunday, 14th February, reports remarks alleged to have been made by the hon. Member for Colne Valley, and I venture to suggest that, if those remarks are correctly reported, they constitute a grave reflection upon the conduct of hon. Members of this House. I invite you to rule, Mr. Speaker, that prima facie a breach of privilege has been committed.

For the purpose of greater accuracy, I have here a copy of the newspaper in question. Perhaps you would be so good as to ask the Clerk to read the passages to which I wish to draw attention so that your Ruling may be given on those facts.

Copy of newspaper handed in.

The CLERK (Sir Barnett Cocks) read the passages, as follows:

"Sunday Express, 14th February, 1965.

A Social in Saddleworth

Sensational Attack on Tory M.P.s

Labour M.P. says 'Some were half-drunk in debates'

(Sunday Express Reporter) A Labour M.P., Mr. Patrick Duffy, has made a sensational attack on Tory Members of Parliament. He is reported to have said that some Tory M.P.s were 'half-drunk' and 'disgusting to look at' during recent censure debates in the Commons. Tories, told of the accusations last night, were enraged. A tremendous row is inevitable. It was on Friday, at the annual social of the Saddleworth (Yorkshire) Labour Party, that Mr. Duffy, who is M.P. for Colne Valley, raised this explosive issue. He is reported to have told the 80 people who had paid 7s. 6d. each for their tickets: 'Some of the Tories were half-drunk during the debates. It was disgusting to look at them, and I only wish some of their constituents knew about this. Their condition not only hindered the debate but also threatened the whole purpose of having a Parliament.' When Mr. Duffy was interviewed by the Sunday Express yesterday at his political 'surgery' in Uppermill, near Oldham, Lancashire, he said, 'I stand by everything I said last night. One had only to look at the other side of the House to see that some of the Members—I refuse to name them—were not themselves but had clearly wined and dined very well.'

Shut the Bar The deliberate and insistent obstruction, involving synthetic points of order and baying, to prevent Government Front Benchers from being heard, was due to the fact that some of the Opposition Members came straight from the bar and created virtual chaos. Some Tories have always looked upon the House of Commons as one of the best clubs in London because of the bar facilities which are often available until the early hours during a long debate'.

Mr. Speaker

I will consider the hon. Gentleman's complaint in the light of authority and the advice available to me and will rule upon it tomorrow.

Mr. Michael Foot

Further to the point or order raised by the hon. Gentleman—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman is talking about. What point of order?

Mr. Foot

On a point of order. While you are considering the prima facie case which has been put to you, Mr. Speaker, may I ask you to consider, at the same time—

Mr. Speaker

I think not, if the hon. Gentleman will forgive me. A number of hon. Members indicated that they wished to intimate something or to make some submission at this stage. I am sure that the House will realise that I have only just officially seen this statement and I do not think it right in these circumstances, until I have considered the matter, or fair to the Chair or to the House, to allow discussion. We should at once have an irregular debate if I did so. But should I in due course decide—I do not know whether I shall—that the matter should have precedence over the Orders of the Day, of course there would be opportunity at once for all concerned to make their points. The matters which I take into account in considering this must rest with me.

Mr. Foot

I did not wish to make a lengthy speech, Mr. Speaker, but could you, at the same time, take into account—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

Mr. Speaker

I do not think it right to allow Members to invite me to take various factors into account. They will have to trust me.

Mr. Ridsdale

May I respectfully ask whether the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Duffy) should withdraw from the House while you are giving your Ruling, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

We will deal with all these matters if and when I have ruled At present, I am merely reserving the matter for 24 hours in order to rule.