§ The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a business statement affecting tomorrow's arrangements.
In addition to the business already announced, there will first be a debate on the Report published today, from the Committee of Privileges.
§ Mr. PeytonDoes the Leader of the House mean—at least, by omission— that he will do nothing to remedy the deficiency which occurred last night? Does he realise that his perfectly reasonable response initially to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition led us to believe that he thought that his own reputation was at stake and that he would do something about it?
§ Mr. PeartI was merely announcing a debate on an important Report from the Committee of Privileges.
As to the matter of last night, I gave my assurance that I will look at that and I am doing so. I have in no way sought to mislead any hon. Member, on either side. Good relations are important in a certain sense. In that sense, I am still considering the matter, and I believe that we shall achieve something which is sensible.
§ Mr. WyattOn a point of order. May I respectfully ask you, Mr. Speaker, why you have twice refused me permission to ask a Private Notice Question of the Foreign Secretary about the—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member is Parliamentarian enough to know that it is out of order for him to seek to inform the House of the nature of the Private Notice Question which Mr. Speaker has refused.
§ Mr. William HamiltonMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the debate on the Report from the Committee of Privileges will be on a Government Motion to approve the Report? If it is, some of us might want to amend it. Can my right hon. Friend say what time the debate will come on?
§ Hon. Members: Answer.
§ Mr. Frederic HarrisAsk your hon. Friend to repeat the question.
§ Mr. William HamiltonMay I ask my right hon. Friend, first, whether the debate on the Report from the Committee of Privileges will be on a Government Motion to approve the Report? If it is, some of us would like the opportunity of putting down an Amendment to that Motion. Secondly, at what hour is the debate likely to come on?
§ Mr. PeartMy hon. Friend is, perhaps, being rather dogmatic at this stage. I will put down a Motion tomorrow and I hope that it will be taken immediately. A matter of privilege is a matter which affects the whole House. It is urgent and I like to get rid of it. [HON. MEMBERS: "What time will it be?"] Immediately —half-past three.
§ Mr. EllisWill my right hon. Friend reconsider the matter? Surely it is quite reasonable for an hon. Member to ask the Leader of the House what form of Motion is being put down. He may wish to amend it. Cannot we have an answer to that?
§ Mr. PeartI hope that my hon. Friend will look carefully at the Report. The Motion will be to accept it.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesWill the Leader of the House assure us that the same procedure will be adopted as on previous occasions, and that there will be a free vote and the Whips will not be on?
§ Mr. PeartYes. I have considered this and I think that on a matter of privilege, which involves individual hon. Members, it will be a free vote. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will be objective when he considers his decision.
§ Mr. William HamiltonMay I press my right hon. Friend? Did he not say in his original statement that the debate would take place after the business which had already been arranged? [HON. MEMBERS: "NO, at 3.30."] We are satisfied that it will take place at 3.30. Can we, therefore, be assured of the opportunity to table Amendments to the Government Motion?
§ Mr. PeartIf that is necessary, Mr. Speaker must decide whether to accept manuscript Amendments. I hope, however, that the Motion which I table will be broadly accepted. It will be taken at the start of business. My hon. Friend must carefully read the Report.