Question of Privilege
March 21, 1978
Freedom from molestation
Hon. James Jerome
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
While there are no previous precedents in any of the earlier practices of this House or of Westminster, and although this case involves an incident which took place beyond the precincts of Parliament, it seems that on the face of it, "electronic surveillance of a Member could be regarded as a form of harassment or obstruction or molestation or intimidation of a Member, all of which phrases have been used in our precedents to support the position that such conduct is a contempt of the House".
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Electronic surveillance of a Member, even if it occurs off the parliamentary precinct and lacks direct precedent, can be considered a form of obstruction or intimidation and therefore may constitute a contempt of the House."
AI Summary
The Speaker rules that electronic surveillance of a Member, even off-precinct, could constitute a contempt of the House by way of intimidation or obstruction.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Question of Privilege
- Significance
Low
High