PRIVILEGE
: OF PARLIAMENTARIANS. (United Press Association—By Electric . Telegraph—Copyright). : • LONDON, April 25. The Select Committee under the Official Secrets Act reports that it is not advisable to attempt precisely to define the extent of immunity from prosecution which members of the House of Commons enjoy. The dignity and independence of Parliament, it says,; are best served by keeping privileges indefinite.'lf they were precisely defined the executive could devise means outside the privileges to harass members of the House of Commons.. •' 1 'Parliament has disciplinary powers over its own members, but the com- 1 mitle e relies not so much' on this as it does on the good sense of members. The inquiry brought home to members the need for discretion where the safety of the realm was affected, and emphasised that a Minister must not use his"e'xecufive powers to impede members of the House of Commons discharging their. proper duties. The committe e suggests that the House pass a resolution declaratory of Parliament’s privileges, which though not binding in Courts would doubtless be respected by them. It adds tliai members of the House of Commons are not entitled to claim privilege wlieii addressing their constituents.
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Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1939, Page 5
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194PRIVILEGE Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1939, Page 5
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