HC Deb 11 February 1985 vol 73 cc17-8
Mr. Alan Williams (Swansea, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Secretary of State for Wales, whose capacity for getting things wrong seems to be unlimited, said in a supplementary answer at Question Time that it was improper that your ruling on a recent application in relation to contempt was read in a newspaper before it was heard on the Floor of the House or notified to the House. As this is an important matter perhaps you, Mr. Speaker, will confirm for the record that you told me that you would rule out of order any attempt to raise the matter on the Floor of the House but that I was perfectly free to make the contents of your letter known to whomever I wished, although the releasing of the letter was a matter that you wished to consider. Will you confirm that you are currently considering the question of the confidentiality of Mr. Speaker's rulings given in letters to Members?

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman is quite correct. I am considering the extent to which letters from me to right hon. and hon. Members could be released to the press. Clearly, I cannot give a blanket agreement to all my letters being released, but I am looking at the matter and I will be in communication with the right hon. Gentleman.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Nicholas Edwards)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Perhaps you will also consider whether it is good practice for a Member to approach you to inquire about a possible breach of privilege involving another Member without that other Member being in any way involved in the approach and for that other Member to read about the matter in a newspaper in which your letter is published in full under the headline, "Edwards Secrecy Contempt Warning," as that does not seem to me to be a very satisfactory way to proceed.

Mr. Speaker

I do not know the date on which that article appeared.

Mr. Edwards

It was on 5 February.

Mr. Speaker

Last Tuesday. I think that puts into perspective my comments about my letters having wide distribution in the press. I am considering the matter. Clearly, my public rulings are available to everyone, but private letters to Members should perhaps not be quite so public.