ALLEGED LIBEL

Southland Times, Issue 20791, 4 June 1929, Page 2

ALLEGED LIBEL

"OUR PARTISAN CHAIRMAN.”

PRESS ARTICLE BY WOMAN M.P. In the House of Commons recently Mr H. B. Grotrian (U., HuU, S.W.) called attention to a “gross libel which had been published on the Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr J. F. Hope),” and said he wished to move a motion. The libel, he said, was contained in an article, purporting to have been written by the hon. member for East Middlesbrough (Miss Wilkinson) and published in a paper called the New Leader, under the date of March 1. Mr Tinker (Lab.-Soc., Leigh): Has the hon. and learned member advised Miss Wilkinson ? Mr Grotrian: I have not been able io do so as this libel has only just been published. It was only brought to my notice late last night, and I understand that the practice of the House is that these things must be brought to the immediate attention of the Speaker Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy (Lab.-Soc., Hull Central): I understand that Miss Wilkinson is away owing to a family bereavement. I do not want to deprive the hon. and learned member of his privilege, but might I ask whether his rights could not be safeguarded and also an opportunity offered to Miss Wilkinson to be present. The Speaker: Under our rules it is necessary that these questions should be raised at the earliest possible moment and brought to the attention of the House. The hon. and gallant member must realise that to give notice to the particular member affected is rather a difficult thing to do as this newspaper only came out this morning. I should be very loath indeed, in the unavoidable and regrettable absence of the hon. lady, that any action should be taken or anything done in her absence. No doubt, that could be overcome by a motion that the debate should be adjourned to enable the hon. lady to be in her place. Commander Eyres-Monsell (Chief Government Whip): May I say that directly my hon. and learned friend had established his case, I was going to move the adjournment of the debate. We all sympathise with Miss Wilkinson and regret the reasons of her absence. Mr Grotrian: I also extremely regret that in the circumstances I have to raise the question in her absence, but, of course, her rights will be amply safeguarded by you, Mr Speaker. The first paragraph I would quote is headed “Our Partisan Chairman,” and reads; This contempt for the Constitution of the House of Commons was shown in a marked way by the Chairman of Ways and Means in a ruling of so partisan a character that it would take one’s breath aw’ay if the Tory Government had not by this time almost exhausted one’s capacity for indignation.” The article then goes on to criticize the ruling of the Chairman in the case of the Derby Corporation Bill. The question is asked: “What kind of a ruling is this, What possible respect can be left for a Chairman who so completely flouts the rules of odrer?” On these facte I beg to move that: “The article purporting to be written by the hon. member for East Middlesbrough and published in the New Leader newspaper fo-day is a gross libel on the Chairman of Ways and Means and a grave breach of the privileges of this House.” Colonel Vaughan Morgan (U., Fulham, E.) seconded the motion. Mr Ramsay Macdonald (Lab.-Soc., Aberavon) said that no one acquainted with the rules would object to the action which Mr Grotrian had taken. At the same time, without passing any judgment or making any observations on the matter, it would be better if the House, would accept the resolution which Commander Eyres Monsell proposed to move. (Hear, hear). Commander Eyres Monsell: I beg to move that the debate be now adjourned. This was agreed to.