Orders of the Day — Chairman of Kitchen Committee (Press Correspondent's Letter)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 July 1951.

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Photo of Mr James Ede Mr James Ede , South Shields 12:00, 24 July 1951

The hon. Gentleman is being helpful to me in the course I am going to suggest to the House. There is no doubt in the mind of the hon. Gentleman that this is a most gross and unwarrantable attack on a Member who, irrespective of party, we all hold in esteem. In such circumstances, it has been the practice of the House not to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges, but to express its opinion that the letter—[Interruption]. I wish my hon. Friends would allow me just to complete a sentence. It has been the practice for the House to say straight away that the statement is a gross libel on the Member concerned. If you would accept it, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, I would move the following manuscript Amendment: to leave out all words after the first "the" and to insert: this House declares the letter of Mr. William Barkley a gross libel on the hon. Member for Bristol. North-East.