§ Mr. LeeOn a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I hesitate to raise this matter because Mr. Speaker left the Chair some time ago, but this is the first opportunity that I have had of raising it.
On Monday of this week Mr. Speaker read out a letter from my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Stonehouse) in which, amongst other things, he expressed a wish to address this House. I raise this matter because, amongst other things, the right hon. Member for Walsall, North is notionally one of my constituents. Bearing in mind that the right hon. Member concerned is at present in custody, I seek the guidance of the Chair on the circumstances and the procedure under which a Member in that kind of situation can come to this House to make a statement.
I understand that there are precedents. There was a precedent during the war when Captain Ramsey, the then Member for Peebles and Midlothian, was detained under the Defence Regulations and was permitted to come here under escort to make a statement.
I should explain that I have not been asked to raise this matter, but it seemed 804 to me appropriate that I should do so, because some of us, who wish to pursue further the representation of Walsall, North, are not satisfied with the way in which the Lord President of the Council has, so to speak, left the matter in limbo.
I left a message with the Lord President's office that I intended to raise this matter this afternoon. I see that he has just entered the Chamber. I hope that he will not think me discourteous in raising this matter before he came in, but this seemed to be the right moment to do so. I have not had a chance to speak to my right hon. Friend about it. However, it seemed proper to raise the matter with the Chair.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. George Thomas)I think that the House will understand when I say that I shall refer this matter to Mr. Speaker and draw his attention to what the hon. Member said. I have no doubt that Mr. Speaker will in due course give a ruling to the House.