OFFICIAL SECRETS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1939, Page 7

OFFICIAL SECRETS

THE POSITION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT BRITISH COMMITTEE’S REPORT. PRECISE DEFINITION INADVISABLE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, April 25. The Select Committee of the House of Commons, which has been studying the bearing of the provisions of the Official Secrets Act on members, reports that it is inadvisable to attempt precisely to define the extent of immunity from prosecution that member, enjoy. The dignity and independence ol Parliament are best served by keepin? members’ privileges indefinite, says the report. If they are precisely defin cd the executive could devise means outside the privileges to harass members. Parliament has disciplinary powers over its own members, but the committee relies not so much on that as on the good sense of members. The inquiry brought home to members the need for discretion where the safety of the realm is affected, and the committee emphasises the point that a Minister must not use his executive powers to impede members in discharging their proper duties. It suggests that the House should pass a resolution declaratory of Parliament's privileges which, though not binding on the courts, would doubtless be re spected by them.

The committee adds that member; of the House of Commons are not en titled to claim privileges when addres sing their constituents.