§ Mr. James Couchman (Gillingham)I wish to present a petition on behalf of Mr. Gerald David Wheeler of 9, Langdale house, Churchill gardens, London SW1. I do so on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Member for City of London and Westminster, South (Mr. Brooke). He has expressed himself agreeable that I should present the petition on behalf of his constituent, who is very keen that it should be presented formally. Mr. Wheeler's sister is my constituent, which is why I was chosen to present it.
This is a long petition, and I would summarise it thus. Mr. Wheeler believes that under parliamentary privilege in speeches in the House and reports thereof his integrity was impugned so seriously by the former hon. Member Mr. Leo Abse that his business foundered. He has sought legal remedy, but without success. His hurt remains, and to that end he prays as follows:
Wherefore your Petitioner most humbly prays that your Honourable House will immediately take into consideration your Petitioner's continuing present personal grievance and appoint a Select Committee to examine and report on the submission by your Petitioner that he should be granted compensation and/or such other relief as it may think fit and proper.And your humble Petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray &c.
§ To lie upon the table.