Complaint of Privilege

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 5 Rhagfyr 1973.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Michael Foot Mr Michael Foot , Ebbw Vale 12:00, 5 Rhagfyr 1973

Further to the point of order raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. C. Pannell), Mr. Speaker, may I make a further submission to you?

Although we understand that you have ruled on the narrow question of the prima facie contempt of the House as it was raised yesterday, it seems to me that allied with the submission made yesterday, and emphasised by your ruling today, is the fact that the proceedings of the House will be gravely injured by the Lord Chancellor's remarks if nothing further is done about them and if you give no further ruling.

It appears that we have a Lord Chancellor who makes up the rule of law and the rules as he goes along to suit his own convenience, and who can make speeches about the affairs of this House and cast reflections on Members of this House in any way he wishes.

If the Lord Chancellor is entitled to do that, in the House of Lords or anywhere else, Members of this House must surely be relieved of the convention, which we have always respected, that we should not cast reflections upon Members of the other House. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I submit that it is your business to rule again on the matter tomorrow, to tell us whether the rules and conventions which have always prevailed between Members of different Houses are now suspended, and whether we are entitled to comment on the antics of the Lord Chancellor in the same offensive language as he has used about us.