QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE (Hansard, 20 January 1977)

§ Mr. Skinner

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This matter is in some way connected with what you and my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Atkinson) have been saying.

647 I raise this matter because, as you have said on many occasions, possible breach of privilege must be brought to your notice straight away.

I assume that most hon. Members received this leaflet in the post this morning. It relates to the case to which reference has just been made between the Attorney-General and the Law Lords. I shall not go into the matter in detail.

This leaflet has been distributed by Aims for Freedom and Enterprise—commonly known as Aims of Industry. It refers to the Attorney-General's statement as being "absolutely unacceptable". I do not suggest that this is prima facie a breach of privilege. That is a matter for you, Mr. Speaker. However, I am advised that it could be either a breach of privilege or contempt of court. I shall not go into the details of the statement. [HON. MEMBERS: "Read it."] I leave that in your hands. On the basis that it is necessary to draw it to your attention, if it is in fact a breach of privilege, it is perhaps as well that you should hear the contents. Attorney-General's statement 'absolutely unacceptable' states AIMS. That is Aims for Freedom and Enterprise. 'Absolutely unacceptable' is the verdict of Aims for Freedom and Enterprise on Attorney-General Sam Silkin's attack on appeal court judges today. Speaking for 3,000 companies and federations, Aims Director Michael Ivens said 'It is many hundreds of years since there has been such a blatent assault'"— "blatant" is wrongly spelled with one "a" and one "e" instead of two "a's"— 'by a politician on the legal processes of this country. The fact that it has been offered by a weak and shillying Minister does not make it less offensive.' 648 You will appreciate the remarks in that sentence, Mr. Speaker. 'We have now reached the stage when tuppence-ha'penny politicians feel they can ride roughshod over any inconvenient laws, especially is those laws'"— presumably that should be "as those laws"— 'affect their paymasters, the trade unions. Britain has now arrived at the stage when it must have a Bill of Rights, and that very quickly indeed.' Further information: Peter Thompson—Office"— and it gives two telephone numbers.

That is the circular which Members of Parliament have received this morning. I raise this matter because I am advised that it could be either a breach of privilege or contempt of court. For that reason, I think that you should look at it, Mr. Speaker.