§ Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill:—
§ The Committee divided: Ayes 297, Noes 255.
| Division No. 109.] | AYES | [4.32 a.m. |
| Adley, Robert | Bell, Ronald | Braine, Bernard |
| Alison, Michael (Barkston Ash) | Bennett, Dr. Reginald (Gosport) | Bray, Ronald |
| Allason, James (Hemel Hempstead) | Benyon, W. | Brewis, John |
| Archer, Jeffrey (Louth) | Berry, Hn. Anthony | Brinton, Sir Tatton |
| Astor, John | Biffen, John | Brocklebank-Fowler, Christopher |
| Atkins, Humphrey | Biggs-Davison, John | Brown, Sir Edward (Bath) |
| Awdry, Daniel | Blaker, Peter | Bruce-Gardyne, J. |
| Baker, Kenneth (St. Marylebone) | Boardman, Tom (Leicester, S.W.) | Bryan, Paul |
| Baker, W. H. K. (Banff) | Body, Richard | Buchanan-Smith, Alick(Angus,N&M) |
| Balniel, Lord | Boscawen, Robert | Buck, Antony |
| Barber, Rt. Hn. Anthony | Bossom, Sir Clive | Bullus, Sir Eric |
| Batsford, Brian | Bowden, Andrew | Burden, F. A. |
| Beamish, Col. Sir Tufton | Boyd-Carpenter, Rt. Hn. John | Butler, Adam (Bosworth) |
| Carlisle, Mark | Hiley, Joseph | Owen, Idris (Stockport, N.) |
| Carr, Rt. Hn, Robert | Hill, John E. B. (Norfolk, S.) | Page, Graham (Crosby) |
| Channon, Paul | Hill, James (Southampton, Test) | Page, John (Harrow, W.) |
| Chapman, Sydney | Holland, Philip | Parkinson, Cecil (Enfield, W.) |
| Chataway, Rt. Hn. Christopher | Holt, Miss Mary | Peel, John |
| Chichester-Clark, R. | Hordern, Peter | Percival, Ian |
| Churchill, W. S. | Hornby, Richard | Peyton, Rt. Hn. John |
| Clark, William (Surrey, E.) | Hornsby-Smith,Rt.Hn.Dame Patricia | Pike, Miss Mervyn |
| Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) | Howe, Hn, Sir Geoffrey (Reigate) | Pink, R. Bonner |
| Cockeram, Eric | Howell, David (Guildford) | Pounder, Rafton |
| Cooke, Robert | Howell,Ralph (Norfolk, N.) | Powell, Rt. Hn. J. Enoch |
| Coombs, Derek | Hunt, John | Price, David (Eastleigh) |
| Cooper, A. E. | Hutchison, Michael Clark | Proudfoot, Wilfred |
| Cordle, John | Iremonger, T. L. | Pym, Rt. Hn. Francis |
| Corfield, Rt. Hn. Frederick | James, David | Quennell, Miss J. M. |
| Cormack, Patrick | Jenkin, Patrick (Woodford) | Raison, Timothy |
| Castain, A. P. | Jessel, Toby | Ramsden, Rt. Hn. James |
| Critchley, Julian | Johnson Smith, G. (E. Grinstead) | Rawlinson, Rt. Hn, Sir Peter |
| Crouch, David | Jopling, Michael | Redmond, Robert |
| Crowder, F. P. | Joseph, Rt. Hn. Sir Keith | Reed, Laurance (Bolton, E.) |
| Curran, Charles | Kellett, Mrs. Elaine | Rees, Peter (Dover) |
| Davies, Rt. Hn. John (Knutsford) | Kershaw, Anthony | Renton, Rt. Hn. Sir David |
| d'Avigdor-Goldsmid, Sir Henry | Kilfedder, James | Rhys Williams, Sir Brandor |
| d'Avigdor-Goldsmid, Maj.-Gen. Jack | Kimball, Marcus | Ridley, Hn. Nicholas |
| Dean, Paul | King, Evelyn (Dorset, S.) | Ridsdale, Julian |
| Deedes, Rt. Hn. W. F. | King, Tom (Bridgwater) | Roberts, Michael (Cardiff, N.) |
| Digby, Simon Wingfield | Kinsey, J. R. | Roberts, Wyn (Conway) |
| Dixon, Piers | Kirk, Peter | Rodgers, Sir John (Sevenoaks) |
| Dodds-Parker, Douglas | Kitson, Timothy | Rossi, Hugh (Hornsby) |
| Douglas-Home, Rt. Hn. Sir Alec | Knight, Mrs. Jill | Rost, Peter |
| Drayson, G. B. | Knox, David | Royle, Anthony |
| du Cann, Rt. Hn. Edward | Lambton, Antony | Russell, Sir Ronald |
| Eden, Sir John | Lane, David | St. John-Stevas, Norman |
| Edwards, Nicholas (Pembroke) | Langford-Holt, Sir John | Scott, Nicholas |
| Elliot, Capt. Walter (Carshalton) | Legge-Bourke, Sir Harry | Shaw, Michael (Sc'b'gh & Whitby) |
| Elliott, R. W. (N'c'tle-upon-Tyne,N.) | Le Marchant, Spencer | Shelton, William (Clapham) |
| Emery, Peter | Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) | Simeons, Charles |
| Eyre, Reginald | Lloyd, Ian (P'tsm'th, Langstone) | Sinclair, Sir George |
| Farr, John | Longden, Gilbert | Skeet, T. H. H. |
| Fell, Anthony | Loveridge, John | Smith, Dudley (W'wick & L'mington) |
| Fanner, Mrs. Peggy | McAdden, Sir Stephen | Soref, Harold |
| Fidler, Michael | MacArthur, Ian | Speed, Keith |
| Fineberg, Geoffrey (Hampstead) | McCrindle, R. A. | Spence, John |
| Fletcher-Cooke, Charles | McLaren, Martin | Sproat, Iain |
| Fookes, Miss Janet | Maclean, Sir Fitzroy | Stainton, Keith |
| Fortescue, Tim | McMaster, Stanley | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Foster, Sir John | Macmillan, Maurice (Farnham) | Stewart-Smith, D. G. (Belper) |
| Fowler, Norman | McNair-Wilson, Michael | Stoddart-Scott, Col. Sir M. |
| Fox, Marcus | McNair-Wilson, Patrick (New Forest) | Stokes, John |
| Fraser,Rt.Hn.Hugh(St'fford & Stone) | Madden, Martin | Stuttaford, Dr. Tom |
| Fry, Peter | Madel, David | Sutcliffe, John |
| Galbraith, Hn. T. G. | Maginnis, John E. | Tapsell, Peter |
| Gardner, Edward | Marples, Rt. Hn. Ernest | Taylor, Sir Charles (Eastbourne) |
| Gibson-Watt, David | Marten, Nell | Taylor,Edward M.(G'gow,Cathcart) |
| Gilmour, Ian (Norfolk, C.) | Mather, Carol | Taylor, Frank (Moss Side) |
| Gilmour, Sir John (Fife, E.) | Maude, Angus | Taylor, Robert (Croydon, N.W,) |
| Glyn, Dr. Alan | Maudling, Rt. Hn. Reginald | Tebbit, Norman |
| Goodhart, Philip | Mawby, Ray | Temple, John M. |
| Goodhew, Victor | Maxwell-Hyslop, R. J. | Thatcher, Rt. Hn. Mrs. Margaret |
| Gorst, John | Meyer, Sir Anthony | Thomas, John Stradling (Monmouth) |
| Gower, Raymond | Mills, Peter (Torrington) | Thomas, Rt Hn. Peter (Hendon, S.) |
| Grant, Anthony (Harrow, C.) | Mills, Stratton (Belfast, N.) | Thompson, Sir Richard (Croydon, S.) |
| Gray, Hamish | Miscampbell, Norman | Tilney, John |
| Green, Alan | Mitchell,Lt.-Col.C(Aberdeenshire,W) | Trafford, Dr. Anthony |
| Grieve, Percy | Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) | Trew, Peter |
| Griffiths, Eldon (Bury St. Edmunds) | Moate, Roger | Tugendhat, Christopher |
| Grylls, Michael | Molyneaux, James | Turton, Rt, Hn. R. H. |
| Gummer, Selwyn | Money, Ernle | Vaughan, Dr. Gerard |
| Gurden, Harold | Monks, Mrs. Connie | Vickers, Dame Joan |
| Hall, Miss Joan (Keighley) | Monro, Hector | Waddington, David |
| Hall-Davis, A. G. F. | Montgomery, Fergus | Welder, David (Clitheroe) |
| Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) | Morgan, Geraint (Denbigh) | Walker, Rt. Hn. Peter (Worcester) |
| Hannam, John (Exeter) | Morgan-Giles, Rear-Adm. | Walker-Smith, Rt. Hn. Sir Derek |
| Harrison, Brian (Maldon) | Morrison, Charles (Devizes) | Wall, Patrick |
| Harrison, Col. Sir Harwood (Eye) | Mudd, David | Walters, Dennis |
| Harvey, Sir Arthur Vere | Murton, Oscar | Ward, Dame Irene |
| Haselhurst, Alan | Nabarro, Sir Gerald | Warren, Kenneth |
| Hastings, Stephen | Neave, Alrey | Weatherill, Bernard |
| Havers, Michael | Nicholls, Sir Harmar | Wells, John (Maidstone) |
| Hawkins, Paul | Normanton, Tom | White, Roger (Gravesend) |
| Hayhoe, Barney | Nott, John | Whiteilaw, Rt, Hn. William. |
| Heseltine, Michael | Onslow, Cranley | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Hicks, Robert | Oppenheim, Mrs. Sally | Wilkinson, John |
| Higgins, Terence L. | Osborn, John | Wolrige-Gordon, Patrick |
| Wood, Rt. Hn. Richard | Worsley, Marcus | TELLERS FOR THE AYES: |
| Woodhouse, Hn. Christopher | Wylie, Rt. Hn. N. R. | Mr. Jasper More and |
| Woodnutt, Mark | Younger, Hn. George | Mr. Walter Clegg. |
| NOES | ||
| Albu, Austen | Foley, Maurice | Mahon, Simon (Bootle) |
| Allaun, Frank (Salford, E.) | Foot, Michael | Mallalieu, J. P. W. (Huddersfield, E) |
| Allen, Scholefield | Ford, Ben | Marks, Kenneth |
| Archer, Peter (Rowley Regis) | Forrester, John | Marquand, David |
| Armstrong, Ernest | Fraser, John (Norwood) | Mason, Rt. Hn. Roy |
| Ashton, Joe | Freeson, Reginald | Meacher, Michael |
| Atkinson, Norman | Galpern, Sir Myer | Mellish, Rt. Hn. Robert |
| Bagier, Gordon A. T. | Garrett, W. E. | Mendelson, John |
| Barnes, Michael | Gilbert, Dr. John | Mikardo, Ian |
| Barnett, Joel | Ginsburg, David | Millan, Bruce |
| Beaney, Alan | Gordon Walker, Rt. Hn. P. C. | Miller, Dr. M. S. |
| Benn, Rt. Hn, Anthony Wedgwood | Grant, George (Morpeth) | Milne, Edward (Blyth) |
| Bennett, James (Glasgow, Bridgeton) | Grant, John D. (Islington, E.) | Molloy, William |
| Bidwell, Sydney | Griffiths, Eddie (Brightside) | Morgan, Elystan (Cardiganshire) |
| Bishop, E. S. | Griffiths, Will (Exchange) | Morris, Alfred (Wythenshawe) |
| Blenkinsop, Arthur | Hamilton, James (Bothwell) | Morris, Charles R. (Openahaw) |
| Boardman, H. (Leigh) | Hamilton, William (Fife, W.) | Morris, Rt. Hn. John (Aberavon) |
| Booth, Albert | Hannan, William (G'gow, Maryhill) | Moyle, Roland |
| Bottomley, Rt. Hn. Arthur | Hardy, Peter | Mulley, Rt. Hn, Frederick |
| Boyden, James (Bishop Auckland) | Harper, Joseph | Murray, Ronald King |
| Bradley, Tom | Harrison, Walter (Wakefield) | Ogden, Eric |
| Brown, Bob (N'c'tle-upon-Tyne,W.) | Hart, Rt. Hn. Judith | O'Halloran, Michael |
| Brown, Hugh D. (G'gow, Proven) | Hattersiey, Roy | O'Malley, Brian |
| Brown,Ronald(Shoreditch&F'bury) | Healey, Rt. Hn. Denis | Oram, Bert |
| Buchan, Norman | Heffer, Eric S. | Orbach, Maurice |
| Buchanan, Richard (G'gow, Sp'burn) | Hilton, W. S. | Orme, Stanley |
| Butler, Mrs. Joyce (Wood Green) | Horam, John | Oswald, Thomas |
| Callaghan, Rt. Hn, James | Houghton, Rt. Hn. Douglas | Owen, Dr. David (Plymouth, Sutton) |
| Campbell, I. (Dunbartonshire, W.) | Howell, Denis (Small Heath) | Paget, R. T. |
| Cant, R. B. | Huckfield, Leslie | Palmer, Arthur |
| Carmichael, Neil | Hughes, Rt. Hn. Cledwyn (Anglesey) | Parker, John (Dagenham) |
| Carter, Ray (Birmingh'm, Northfield) | Hughes, Mark (Durham) | Parry, Robert (Liverpool, Exchange) |
| Carter-Jones, Lewis (Eccles) | Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen, N.) | Pavitt, Laurie |
| Castle, Rt. Hn. Barbara | Hughes, Roy (Newport) | Peart, Rt. Hn. Fred |
| Clark, David (Colne Valley) | Hunter, Adam | Pendry, Tom |
| Cocks, Michael (Bristol, S.) | Janner, Greville | Pentland, Norman |
| Cohen, Stanley | Jay, Rt. Hn. Douglas | Perry, Ernest G. |
| Coleman, Donald | Jeger,Mrs.Lena(H'b'n&St.P'cras,S.) | Prentice, Rt. Hn. Reg |
| Concannon, J. D. | Jenkins, Hugh (Putney) | Prescott, John |
| Conlan, Bernard | Jenkins, Rt. Hn. Roy (Stechford) | Price, J. T. (Westhoughton) |
| Corbet, Mrs. Freda | John, Brynmor | Price, William (Rugby) |
| Cox, Thomas (Wandsworth, C.) | Johnson, Carol (Lewisham, S.) | Probert, Arthur |
| Crawshaw, Richard | Johnson, James (K'ston-on-Hull, W.) | Rankin, John |
| Cronin, John | Johnson, Walter (Derby, S.) | Reed, D. (Sedgefield) |
| Cunningham, G. (Islington,S.W.) | Jones, Barry, (Flint, E) | Rees, Merlyn (Leeds, S.) |
| Cunningham, Dr. J. (Whitehaven) | Jones, Dan (Burnley) | Richard, Ivor |
| Dalyell, Tam | Jones, T. Alec (Rhondda, W.) | Robert, Albert (Normanton) |
| Darling, Rt. Hn. George | Kaufman, Gerald | Roberts,Rt.Hn.Goronwy(Caernarvon) |
| Davidson, Arthur | Kerr, Russell | Robertson, John (Paisley) |
| Davies, Denzil (Llanelly) | Kinnock, Neil | Roderick, Caerwyn E.(Br'c'n&R'dnor) |
| Davies, G. Elfed (Rhondda, E.) | Lambie, David | Rodgers, William (Stockton-on-Tees) |
| Davies, Ifor (Gower) | Lamond, James | Roper, John |
| Davis, Clinton (Hackney, C.) | Latham, Arthur | Rose, Paul B. |
| Deakins, Eric | Lawson, George | Ross, Rt. Hn. William (Kilmarnock) |
| de Freitas, Rt. Hn. Sir Geoffrey | Leadbitter, Ted | Sheldon, Ribert (Ashton-under-Lyne) |
| Delargy, H. J. | Lee, Rt. Hn, Frederick | Shore, Rt. Hn. Peter (Stepney) |
| Dell, Rt. Hn. Edmund | Leonard, Dick | Short,Rt.Hn.Edward(N'c'tle-u-Tyne) |
| Dempsey, James | Lester, Miss Joan | Silkin, Rt. Hn. John (Deptford) |
| Doig, Peter | Lever, Rt. Hn. Harold | Silkin, Hn, S. C. (Dulwich) |
| Dormand, J. D. | Lewis, Arthur (W, Ham N.) | Sillars, James |
| Douglas, Dick (Stirlingshire, E.) | Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) | Silverman, Julius |
| Douglas-Mann, Bruce | Lipton, Marcus | Skinner, Dennis |
| Driberg, Tom | Lomas, Kenneth | Small, William |
| Duffy, A. E. P. | Loughlin, Charles | Smith, John (Lanarkshire, N.) |
| Dunn, James A. | Lyon, Alexander W. (York) | Spearing, Nigel |
| Dunnett, Jack | Lyons, Edward (Bradford, E.) | Spriggs, Leslie |
| Eadie, Alex | Mabon, Dr. J. Dickson | Stallard, A. W. |
| Edelman, Maurice | McBride, Neil | Stewart, Rt. Hn. Michael (Fulham) |
| Edwards, Robert (Bilston) | McCartney, Hugh | Stoddart, David (Swindon) |
| Edwards, William (Merioneth) | McElhone, Frank | Stonehouse, Rt. Hn. John |
| Ellis, Tom | McGuire, Michael | Strang, Gavin |
| English, Michael | Mackenzie, Gregor | Summerskill, Hn. Dr. Shirley |
| Evans, Fred | Mackie, John | Swain, Thomas |
| Fernyhough, E. | Mackintosh, John P. | Taverne, Dick |
| Fisher, Mrs.Doris(B'ham,Ladywood) | Maclennan, Robert | Thomas,Rt. Hn.George (Cardiff, W.) |
| Fitch, Alan (Wigan) | McMillan, Tom (Glasgow, C.) | Thomas, Jeffrey (Abertillery) |
| Fletcher, Raymond (Ilkeston) | McNamara, J. Kevin | Thomson, Rt. Hn. G. (Dundee, E.) |
| Fletcher, Ted (Darlington) | MacPherson, Malcolm | Tinn, James |
| Torney, Tom | Weitzman, David | Williams, Mrs. Shirley (Hitchin) |
| Urwin, T. W. | Wellbeloved, James | Wilson, Alexander (Hamilton) |
| Varley, Eric C. | Wells, William (Walsall, N.) | Wilson, Rt. Hn. Harold (Huyton) |
| Wainwright, Edwin | White, James (Glasgow, Pollok) | Wilson, William (Coventry, S.) |
| Walden, Brian (B'm'ham, All Saints) | Whitehead, Phillip | |
| Walker, Harold (Doncaster) | Whitlock, William | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| Wallace, George | Willey, Rt. Hn. Frederick | Mr. John Golding and |
| Watkins, David | Williams, Alan (Swansea, W.) | Mr. William Hamling. |
§ Clause 31 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ The CHAIRMAN left the Chair to report Progress and ask leave to sit again, pursuant to the Order of the House of 25th January.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.
§ 4.45 a.m.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Robert Grant-Ferris)I have a report to make to the House. I have to report that the Assistant Serjeant at Arms has inquired into the events which took place earlier this morning and has reported as follows:
Report on alleged assault on a door keeper during a division about 2.10 a.m. When the doors leading to the 'Aye' Lobby were locked on order of the Chair, several Members were moving rapidly towards the doors and an accidental collision occurred with the doorkeeper on duty."—[Interruption.]—"No complaint of any improper conduct has been made.D. Swanston, Assistant Serjeant at Arms.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisOn a point of order. You will recall, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that a similar incident to the one just reported took place some years ago when a Communist Member of the House, Mr. Phil Piratin, was involved. That incident was within the precincts of the House and a similar report was then referred to the Committee of Privileges. I suggest that in this case also there should be a report to the Committee of Privileges, because the cases are identical, except that the fracas which took place earlier today was actually within the precincts of the Chamber; the other incident occurred at a bar of the House.
As I understand it, the rule is that one must as soon as possible ask Mr. Speaker for a case to be reported, I give you notice formally that this case may possibly be a prima facie breach of privilege.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerThis, of course, is not the time for me to deal with the 1098 matter. It must be raised in the ordinary way if the hon. Gentleman chooses to do that, as other hon. Members are at liberty to do. I think that we should get on now.
§ Mr. LoughlinFurther to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Those right hon. and hon. Members present in the Committee at the time will recall that I raised a point of order about this incident. I should now like your guidance. The incident took place when the House was in Committee. As far as I know, the House is not aware of what takes place in Committee. When may a further point of order for a reference to the Committee of Privileges be made? If the House is not aware of what takes place in Committee, do I take it that the matter must be raised on Monday when the House is in Committee again or at any other time?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI can answer the hon. Gentleman exactly. He must raise it at 11 o'clock this day, which is the first available opportunity.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisI know that hon. Members opposite who support thuggery do not want to hear, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but is it not the rule that in any possible or prima facie breach of privilege notice must be given as soon as possible to the House of Commons? The House is now meeting, and I say respectfully that I am now reporting the case to the House. Eleven o'clock this day will not be the first opportunity. I have now given you notice.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Robert Grant-Ferris)That may be so, but it has to be done at the proper time, and the Standing Orders lay down that it shall be done at eleven o'clock on a Friday, if that is the next available opportunity, or after Questions on the following day. That is the rule of the House.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisI am sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but I know of a number of cases—I could quote them if I had the reference books—where this has been the moment and the time when the matter has been reported as being the first opportunity. It is true that Mr. Speaker will 1099 say that he would like an opportunity to consider whether there is a prima facie case, and whether it should have precedence over the Orders of the Day. But my point is that this is the first opportunity that I have had of raising the issue whilst the House is sitting. The House is sitting at the moment, and it is my duty to report to it, and with respect, it is the duty of Mr. Speaker to decide whether or not he will accept the case and make an announcement. I agree that he may well decide at eleven o'clock whether he will give the matter precedence over the Orders of the Day.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI now rule that what the hon. Gentleman the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) has put to me cannot be the case; and that notice must be given to Mr. Speaker at the next available opportunity, which is at the meeting of the House this day. That is my Ruling.
§ Mr. Loughlinrose——
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerBefore the hon. Gentleman speaks again, I had better finish my Ruling so that he can put no further questions on that. My Ruling is that the hon. Member for West Ham, North if he so wishes may raise this question at eleven o'clock today, and should do it at eleven o'clock today, because that is the first available opportunity when it should be done and not actually now. The hon. Gentleman may say that that is not in accordance with procedure, but someone has to lay down what is to happen now. I may be wrong— I do not think I am— but I lay it down now that that is the procedure that should be adopted.
Now, I would be prepared to hear the point of order which the hon. Gentleman the Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Loughlin) wishes to raise, but I must tell him that his point of order must not concern the Ruling I have just given.
§ Mr. LoughlinI will respect your Ruling, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but I am entitled as a Member of this House to make a submission to you on the issue of what is the first available opportunity——
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerOrder. I am afraid that that is exactly what the hon. 1100 Gentleman is not entitled to do, because that is what I have ruled upon. Now, we must get on with our business.
§ Mr. Eric Ogden (Liverpool, West Derby)On a new point of order. Mr. Deputy Speaker. In the last few moments reference has been made to the servants of the House. After an all-night sitting, which places great strain on police and everyone else who serves us, it might be thought appropriate for us to express our thanks to them for their efforts on our behalf.
§ Mr. Maurice EdelmanOn a point of order. In your remarks, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in reporting the observations, and they are no more than observations, of the Assistant Serjeant at Arms, you may have seemed to have prejudged the matter by reporting what the Assistant Serjeant at Arms said irrespective of possible contradictory evidence. I therefore submit to you that there is a danger that by reporting to the House what the Assistant Serjeant at Arms said you may have prejudged the matter, and interfered unwittingly with the Speaker's opportunity to decide whether there is a prima facie case that a breach of privilege has been committed.
May I ask you, therefore, that when the matter is raised again the Speaker may be fully apprised of the events that have taken place, so that he will not be influenced in any way by this ex-parte report which has been made by the Assistant Serjeant at Arms?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerThere should be no quarrel between the hon. Gentleman and myself. These things will be brought to Mr. Speaker's notice, no doubt be-for we meet today. The matter will be raised and Mr. Speaker will decide what is to be done. I was simply asked by the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Loughlin) earlier, when I was in the lower Chair, if I would get a report from the Serjeant at Arms, and I did so. When I resumed the upper Chair I reported it to the House.
I have made no Ruling on whether a breach of privilege has been committed. That will be for Mr. Speaker and the matter should be raised as soon as possible today.