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

Thank you very much for that statement, Mr. Speaker, which we greatly welcome. We were sure, Mr. Speaker that you would say that you would accept orders from no one about what goes on the Order Paper of this House. We hope that that statement from you, Mr. Speaker, will be properly observed henceforth by the Lord Chancellor of this country.

May I comment on your second remark, Mr. Speaker, about imputations being able to be made only by substantive motion? Does not that apply in the other place, as it applies here? If the Lord Chancellor wishes to make imputations against Members of the House of Commons, let him put forward his motion in another place, or wherever it may be. But certainly if we are to be bound by any such rule, the Lord Chancellor also will have to be bound by such a rule. We submit, Mr. Speaker, that the Lord Chancellor, in his statement, has broken the convention which has prevailed between our two Houses, and that if that convention is to be sustained here any longer there will have to be some form of apology from the Lord Chancellor for what he has done.