We note with regret the announcement that Mr. Lloyd George
has been obliged owing to indisposition to take a short holiday. In these circumstances we feel that it would not be right for the present to insist on his answering our challenge to him to substantiate his charges against us. To press, that challenge now would add to his worries, and this we do not desire to do. At the same time, we feel that we ought to say something upon the general question of that claim to free libelling which is made by members of the House of Commons. It is urged that unless members of the
House of Commons enjoy the privilege of making derogatory statements in regard to their fellow-citizens without being
liable to be called on to substantiate them the freedom of Parliament will be impaired. This right of libel for
members of Parliament no doubt seems at first sight attractive, but we believe that if the question is studied carefully it will be seen that no national advantage, but rather a grave disadvan- tage, is involved. The same kind of claim—the claim to the right of free libel—has often been urged on behalf of the press, and complaint is made that owing to the fear of libel actions the press is not really free, and cannot say what it likes and what it is for the public benefit that it should say. -Yet not only all reasonable people, but all reasonable newspaper people know that it is not an injury but an immense advantage to the press to be kept within the bounds of decency and endowed with a sense of responsibility by the law of libel.
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