§ Mr. SpeakerI want now to rule on the question of privilege. Yesterday the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) laid a complaint of breach of privilege arising out of a report in yesterday's Daily Express which purported to describe the intentions of two hon. Members following sentences pronounced by a court of law.
It is not for me to say whether the intentions to which the Daily Express paragraph refers would constitute a contravention of the laws of privilege. My duty is to rule whether in my view the hon. Lady's complaint should be given precedence as a privilege issue over today's business.
In my opinion, having taken into account all the circumstances, I do not think the matter can be given that priority now.
§ Mrs. KnightMay I say that I am grateful to you, Mr. Speaker, for the ruling and appreciate that no breach of privilege, in fact, exists when a person claims privilege which does——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her appreciation but I do not think I can allow her at this stage to enter into any discussion of this or, indeed, of any hypothetical situation.