Personal Explanation.

– in the House of Commons at on 21 September 1931.

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Photo of Mr Elijah Sandham Mr Elijah Sandham , Liverpool Kirkdale

I desire, with the permission of the House, to raise a matter of grave injustice as affecting myself and my political convictions. In the Debate on Friday on the question of national economy, the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis) was giving us the benefit of his political convictions, and during his speech I made.an interruption. The point to which I took exception is to be found in column 1222 of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Friday. The hon. Member for Colchester made use of these observations: The unemployed workers of this country can be divided into three groups. First, there are those who are drawing benefit in respect of contributions which they themselves have made while at work, assisted by contributions from the employers and the State. They are drawing benefit in respect of those contributions, part of which they have provided themselves. My interjection was in these words: All of it, not part of it."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th September, 1931; col. 1222, Vol. 256.] I have no desire, of course, to argue the point, but, in view of the attitude of my electors in Kirkdale, and their request for an explanation from me, I do want to say that my conviction in regard to this matter—

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

The hon. Member asked me this morning whether he might make a personal explanation as to a misprint that occurred in the OFFCICAL REPORT. What he is trying to explain is that various statements which were put down in his name were really made by the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis), whose name was omitted. That is the error, and I have ordered the mistake to be rectified.

HON. MEMBERS:

Agreed!

Photo of Mr Elijah Sandham Mr Elijah Sandham , Liverpool Kirkdale

It is a very grave matter so far as I am concerned, and I hope that the justice of hon. and right hon. Members opposite will allow me at least to clear the air—

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

The hon. Member, in making his personal explanation must not exceed his rights. He has merely to state that a mistake has been made in the OFFICIAL REPORT; there is nothing else attaching to it.

Photo of Mr Elijah Sandham Mr Elijah Sandham , Liverpool Kirkdale

May I explain that, in consequence of the fact that I purchased thousands of pounds' worth of these insurance stamps, knowing all the time—

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

That has nothing in the least to do with a mistake in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Photo of Mr Elijah Sandham Mr Elijah Sandham , Liverpool Kirkdale

The mistake in the OFFICIAL REPORT is to the effect that it involves me in an attitude of mind that I claim no association with, and I make use of that observation with due respect to the convictions of the hon. Member for Colchester. I would ask what steps are to be taken in order to recall the copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT that have been distributed all over the country May I explain that fully half of the hon. Member's speech is credited to my name, and I object to it.

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

I think the House quite understands the position.

Photo of Mr John Jones Mr John Jones , West Ham Silvertown

On a point of Order. May I suggest that the two hon. Members go out and have one?