§ Mr. SpeakerI must now rule upon the question of privilege raised yesterday by the hon. Lady the Member for Moray and Nairn (Mrs. Ewing). It concerns the contents of a letter written to the Northern Scot newspaper by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton).
It is not for me to make any comments either upon the political arguments reflected in that letter or upon the manner in which it is written. All I have to say is whether I consider that I ought to give precedence over the Orders of the Day to a motion concerning this complaint. I cannot find any reason for so doing.
§ Mr. William HamiltonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker, may I seek your guidance? I am very disappointed with your ruling——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman may be disappointed, but it is not 1104 customary, nor is it indeed the way of this House once it has been given, to seek to discuss a ruling in any way whatever.
§ Mr. William HamiltonI seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker. Is there any step I can take to try to ensure that this matter comes before the Committee of Privileges?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman knows that there are many means of pursuing this matter—and that applies both to the hon. Lady and to himself. But I want to keep in the middle.