SCANDAL IN HOUSE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 31 July 1930, Page 5

SCANDAL IN HOUSE

MEMBER’S CHARGES

DECLARED TO BE LIBEL

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.

lUnited Press Association—By Electric. Telegraph Copyright.). LONDON, July 29. \ sensation has been caused by allegations of bribery in a recent speech made by Mr E. Sandham, a labour member of the House of Commons. Ml Sandham was speaking to a meeting of the Independent Labour Party at Manchester in defence of Mr J. Beckett, Labour member, who was suspended i attempting to remove the mace. Mr Sandham’s startling allegations have been referred by the. House to the committee of privileges. There was a scene in the House to-day and Mr Sandham refused to defend himself. “Labour members can receive bribes to help pass doubtful bills m the interests of private individuals, Mr Sandham had said. “It is known tha Labour members have accepted 1 money from moneylenders and other pnva interests. Labour members can get stupidly drunk in the House, but such conduct is. not bad enough to create a demahd for expulsion.” A!L parties indignantly repudiated the charges and. in the House of Commons, BariWinterton moved that Mr SanclL ham’s .speech was a gross libel on memand 1 a grave breach of privilege. The grossest charge w r as bribery, lb® House had never allowed anyone to make that accusation. The Speaker called on Mr Sandham on tbe resumption of the debate to-day on Earl Winterton’s motion. Mr Sandham read the offending speech. When he reached the part w hich dealt with Earl Winterton’s motion be said: “I stand by every word of the speech.” . Tbe Speaker insisted that portions ot Mr Sandham’s statement were lrrevelant. . , , , Mr J. Maxton (Labour) said he had never seen such an interruption and advised Mr Sandham not to resume his I> Mr A. Buchanan (Labour) : He is not getting fair play. The Speaker pointed out that the rules limited l an explanation in defence to the particular charge. Later the Speaker intervened on the score of repetition.

REFUSAL TO CONTINUE. Mr Sandham flung his papers on his seat and refused to continue. There were cries from those near by : “Don t be a coward; get it out.” Mr Sandham refused to proceed and the Speaker asked! him to retire while the motion was considered. The Prime Minister (Air Ramsay MacDonald) said the duty of the House was plain. Air Sandham’s speech implied members did receive bribes. As the statement had been written it was dear that it was coolly and 1 deliberately given to the world. Mr Sandham had withdrawn nothing, explained nothing, justified nothing. He 1 must have had in mind facts, men and occasions. He must be asked to inform the committee of the House the basis of his charges. (Cheers). Air AlacDonakl moved 1 that the matter l>e referred! to the committee of privileges. This was agreed to by 419 votes to 8. V Air Stanley Baldwin said the matter ««Ajhoukl he probed to its very foundation. > Mr Alaxton suggested l that in addition to the committee there should be one or two members, something akin to a prisoner’s friend; otherwise, lie feared, there might not be justice. Air EL Serymgeour (Independent) urged the committee to consider the fact that owing to facilities for obtaining liquor members of all parties were seen from time to time under the influence of drink. Air Ccrymgeour was interrupted by cries of “Order,’’ “Privilege,” and the Speaker ruled that it was not part of the question before the House. Air W. J. Brown (Labour) said he had documents' in his pocket which were going to be investigated if this charge of corruption were gone into, but he wanted an assurance that the committee would: allow conditions admitting of witnesses’ speaking freely. Air Beckett, of mace fame, rose to speak hut the House refused to listen to h i m.

The committee of privilege, which consists of Mr MacDonald', Sir AY. A. Jowitt. Air Baldwin. Air C. AY. Bowerman (Lab.), Lord Hugh Cecil (Con.), AU- Arthur Henderson, Air J. Clynes, Sir D. H. Herbert. (Con.). Air Tan ATacpherson (Lab.) and C’ol. H. H. SpenderClav (Con.), held its first meeting tonight.

The “Daily Herald” says the charges must be either proved l or withdrawn.