Echoes Of Privilege Abuse

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1938, Page 2

Echoes Of Privilege Abuse

(Received 2-30 p.m.) LONDON, July 19.; In the House of Commons, the Speaker, Captain Fitzroy, giving his ruling regarding the point raised by Lieut-Colonel Heneage (LabourLouth) disclosed that the new information was that members of the military court were not aware that Mr. D. Sandys (Conservative-Norwood) had been summoned to give evidence and were thereby not responsible for a breach of privilege. ; * The Speaker suggested that the matter be dropped as the committee’s report, which did not reflect on anyone, was not affected. ■ ' * Labour Still Dissatisfied.. Mr. Chamberlain and Sir Archibald Sinclair, Liberal Leader, agreed that no further action be taken, but Mr. C. R. Attlee tabled a motion referring the report back to the committee on the grounds that the House, on July 11, was misled into censuring .innocent parties. A sensation was caused in the House of Commons'on Thursday last, - when Lieut-Colonel Heneage, supported by Mr Winston Churchill, asked the Speaker’s advice in view of information in their possession, which was inconsistent with the information on which the Committee of Privileges founded its report. Mr. Churchill, speaking as a member of 'ihe committee, said he was of the opinion that the decision was taken on misleading presentation of facts. The censure appeared to have fallen on innocent persons. The Speaker said the matter was without precedent and promised to give a ruling on Monday.