HC Deb 11 March 1975 vol 888 cc284-5
Mr. Cormack

I wish to raise a matter of privilege, Mr. Speaker; namely, the action of certain public servants and those inciting them to frustrate the work of Parliament. I seek to move that this matter be committed to the Committee of Privileges.

Mr. Skinner

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Is this a point of order?

Mr. Skinner

Yes, it is precisely to the point. With respect to the suggested breach of privilege of this House by people going on strike, before you consider referring this matter to the Committee of Privileges I hope that you will consider the fact that whenever there is a strike of industrial workers or any kind of workers, in some cases marginally but in other cases more extremely, they affect the work of this place, as indeed, they affect the work of people elsewhere. Therefore, one could argue quite properly that when the last Tory Government engaged in conflict and confrontation with the postal workers in 1971, when those postal workers were out on strike for seven weeks— in which I encouraged them, incidentally— that was in itself no different in content or quality from this matter, and I am suggesting—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. I shall consider this matter. If I decide that a motion should not have precedence, the hon. Member's remarks are not necessary. If I decide that it shall have precedence, a motion will be moved and the hon. Member will be able to make his speech then. I will consider the matter and rule tomorrow.