HC Deb 23 February 1965 vol 707 cc240-2
Mr. Speaker

Yesterday, the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) made a complaint to me of a breach of privilege founded on some passages which he read out of an article from the Spectator of 19th February and from the Daily Telegraph of 22nd February

I have carefully considered the hon. Gentleman's complaint. In my view, it does not, prima facie, raise a matter of privilege and I so rule.

The House and the hon. Member will understand that the effect of my so ruling is that I cannot give his complaint precedence over the business of the day. It in no way prevents him, or any other hon. Member, from raising it in some other way should he think fit to do so.

Mr. Warbey

While not questioning your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, may I call your attention to a further—

Mr. Speaker

No, not on this topic. The hon. Member will understand that the effect of my Ruling is that we cannot discuss the matter now.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

You will remember, Mr. Speaker, indeed you have yourself said in your Ruling, that although you have decided it is not a prima facie case, this does not prevent the House, nevertheless, from sending it to the Committee of Privileges, if the House wishes. To do that there would have to be a Motion, and time to discuss it. Would it be in order for me to ask my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House whether he would be prepared to find such time?

Mr. Speaker

Not now, for the reason I have given. Should the hon. Member table a Motion, no doubt a later opportunity will occur to ask that question.

Mr. Warbey

What I wished to do was to call your attention, Mr. Speaker, to further writings which have only come to my attention—

Mr. Speaker

Order. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to raise another complaint of privilege founded on something else, by all means let him do so. The point he has already raised is disposed of for today.

Mr. Warbey

I do wish to do so, but I have to point out that they are related to the matter which I raised yesterday. They are two further writings which have come to my attention since yesterday. One is a writing in the Notts Free Press for 19th February—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman would be out of time to raise that now.

Mr. Warbey

With respect, Sir, the Notts Free Press is a local periodical which is sent to me by post. Owing to delays over the weekend, it did not reach me until yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Speaker

It is the hon. Gentleman's misfortune, or the fault of the Post Office, I do not know which, but it is still out of time.

Mr. Warbey

In that case, I would call attention to the other writing, which is a postcard—[Laughter]—which reached me this morning, which was dated 21st February, that is, Sunday, but which I received only this morning. It says:

"Dear Mr. Warbey, Listening to your comments on TV, I formed the opinion that you are only in the Labour Party to further the Communist cause.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I would remind the House that the hon. Gentleman is making a complaint of breach of privilege to the Chair, and that such a complaint should be heard in silence.

Mr. Warbey

To continue, the following words are underlined: Be good enough to admit this and change your party! and the signature is, "Realist".

I think that the reaction of a large number of hon. Members on the other side of the House to my reading of the words in this communication is a sufficient indication of my complaint that the purpose of this communication is to intimidate me from expressing my rights of free speech in this House and from my right to have those expressions listened to by other hon. Members of the House as honest expressions of my own opinions.

Mr. Speaker

Will the hon. Gentleman he good enough to bring me the communication on which he relies?

Postcard handed in.

Mr. Speaker

I will rule upon the hon. Gentleman's complaint tomorrow.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

On a point of order. With respect, Mr. Speaker, you have said that you will rule on this tomorrow. Is it appropriate that we should waste your time and the time of the House on Rulings—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The matter is one for me, on which I desire no counselling.