Question of Privilege
April 9, 1976
Reflections upon a Member
Hon. James Jerome
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
It must be understood that questions of privilege are not confined to incidents which take place in the House; they can arise from elsewhere as well, including committees. This specific case, however, involves a disagreement about the interpretation of events which took place in a standing committee and is not, in consequence, a question of privilege, but a point of order which should not be reviewed by the Chair.
However insulting the language of a reporter may be, it cannot be found to warrant the invocation of privilege procedures by the House in order to censure him. The right to criticize should be resolved in favour of the public, and the legal protection afforded every citizen should be sufficient for Members.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"A disagreement over the interpretation of events in a committee is a point of order, not a question of privilege, and criticism by a reporter, however insulting, does not warrant the invocation of privilege procedures."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a question of privilege, clarifying that committee disagreements are points of order and press criticism does not breach privilege.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Significance
Low
High