HC Deb 17 December 1986 vol 107 cc1230-1

5.6 pm

Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,

the difficulties encountered by those responsible for stating the Government's position in proceedings in the Wright case. You will have heard this morning, Mr. Speaker, that Mr. Malcolm Turnbull, an Australian lawyer, has been making scurrilous allegations against distinguished British public servants. That will not surprise you, Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Turnbull is partisan, and as he has a reputation for brash arrogance and as a publicity monger.

What will have surprised and, I imagine, appalled you, Mr. Speaker, is Mr. Turnbull's assertion that the successful pursuit of his case against the British Crown was dependent upon actions by the Leader of the Opposition in this House. In other words, the Leader of the Opposition was creating difficulties for the Crown by using, or more accurately abusing, the procedures of this House for the benefit of Mr. Turnbull. We know that the Leader of the Opposition is naive and inexperienced. What we did not know until today was the extent of his involvement in this case.

In his letter to you, the right hon. Gentleman spoke of several telephone calls, the last five of which came from Australia. The most likely construction that can now be placed on those last exchanges is that the right hon. Gentleman, a Privy Councillor, was receiving his instructions which, if carried out, would—and some may say did—create difficulties for the Crown. No man should be condemned unheard. It is only fair to the right hon. Gentleman that there should be an immediate debate so that the difficulties faced by the Crown's representatives, and the role of the Leader of the Opposition in those difficulties, can be speedily and closely investigated.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely,

the difficulties encountered by those responsible for stating the Government's position in proceedings in the Wright case. I have listened to what the hon. Gentleman said, but I regret that I do not consider that the matter that he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 20 and I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.

Mr. Neil Kinnock (Islwyn)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Reference has just been made to me by a Conservative Member. Were it not for the fact that he is one of the most contemptible Members in the House I would be asking you simply to treat his remarks as being as stupid as they are scurrilous, but I take this opportunity to say that he would not dare, in any shape or form, to accuse me outside this place of taking orders from anyone about anything. It is only the protection of this place that affords him the opportunity to be both ridiculous and—if I may use the phrase—extremely ungentlemanly, as well as lacking any form of courage.

Later—

Mr. Richard Hickmet (Glanford and Scunthorpe)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, and further to the point of order raised by the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock). Would you rule whether it is in order for one hon. Member to call another "contemptible"? If that is the language that is to be tolerated in this place—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is a word that I have heard used frequently in this place. May I say to the whole House that it is very important that we treat each other with civility.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton (Fife, Central)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I draw your attention to an early edition of The London Evening Standard, referring to Mr. Turnbull in Australia.

Mr. Speaker

Is there a point of order in this for me?

Mr. Hamilton

Yes, certainly. There are scurrilous words in Mr. Turnbull's remarks implying perfidy and treachery in this House and in the Government. He says: Sir Robert"— the head of our Civil Service— is the classical fall guy"—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Will the hon. Gentleman come immediately to his point of order for me? I am not responsible for anything that Mr. Turnbull may have said.

Mr. Hamilton

During his speech to the court Mr. Turnbull has accused the head of the British Civil Service, the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister of lying. That is a very serious charge, and we are anxious to preserve the integrity of those right hon. Members—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman knows that Mr. Turnbull did not do that in this place. I am not responsible for anything that is said to an Australian court. Will he come immediately to the point of order for me? He has been here for a very long time and he knows the rules.

Mr. Hamilton

You preceded me by a few seconds, Mr. Speaker. The integrity of the House and the Government is being challenged in that court. What can you do to protect that integrity from outside sources?

Mr. Speaker

I am responsible for the integrity of the statements by hon. Members inside this House. I cannot be responsible for everything that might be said about it outside.