§ Mr. SpeakerI must now rule on the privilege point.
Yesterday the hon. Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Douglas) made a complaint of privilege arising out of a letter from the managing director of Messrs. Wiggins Teape Limited of Gateway House, Watling Street, London. The hon. Member submitted that certain words in the letter constituted a breach of the privileges of this House.
I have now had an opportunity of studying the letter and other related documents. My duty is only to rule whether in my view the hon. Member'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 that the matter can be given that priority now.
In view of the time that the business has already taken, I shall have to alter the timings of the various debates. I will give the information to hon. Members concerned as soon as possible.