§ Mr. SpeakerI have considered the complaint made to me yesterday by the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) in relation to privilege. The issues raised by the complaint are not such as would, in my opinion, justify me in giving the matter priority over the orders of the day.
§ Mr. SkinnerOn a point of order. It is somewhat significant, Mr. Speaker, that you have reached that decision, since the main reason given for the meeting to which I referred was a policy decision taken by the Opposition. It is also significant because, whereas it has always been a breach of privilege to talk——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I do not quite understand what the hon. Member is doing. Is he seeking to query my ruling?
§ Mr. SkinnerThat is what I am doing.
§ Mr. SpeakerIn that case I must point out that he may not do it. He must do it in another way. Nothing that I have said prevents him putting down his own motion with regard to this matter. He can do that.
§ Mr. SkinnerI have not finished, Mr. Speaker. What I have to say is that I am using the right that is given to me and to other Members of Parliament, including some who exercise their rights under parliamentary procedures very often in this House. What I want to say about your ruling is that I am somewhat excited at the prospect that, according to you, it is not now a breach of privilege to say that Members of Parliament are cadging money from big business.
§ Mr. SpeakerI think I will pass no comment on what the hon. Member said.