BREACH OF PRIVILEGE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 306, 22 September 1934, Page 8

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE

Evidence Before Committee

COPIES SENT TO MEMBERS A question of privilege was raised in the House of Representatives yesterday morning by the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Govt., Wairarapa), who said that copies of evidence given before the Industries and Commerce Committee by the secretary of the New Zealand Master Bakers’ Association had been distributed to members of the House. Mr. McLeod, who is chairman of the committee. said he had no doubt it had been done inadvertently or through want, of knowledge. Under the rules of Parliament it was apparently a breach of privilege. Mr. Speaker said that once a matter of privilege was raised it was his duty to decide whether there was a prima facie case; and he had no hesitation in saying that one had been made out in the present instance. It might not be generally known that it was not permissible to divulge evidence given before a committee. Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Ind.. Eden) asked what toe position was in the event of evidence being published before it was given before a committee. Mr. Speaker said there was nothing to stop one publishing the evidence It was Intended to give. In the present case the evidence published was that actually given. The matter was referred to the Committee of Privilege.