In connection with the two privilege cases now before the
House of Commons I have heard various questions asked as to what penalties the House has it in its power to inflict if it wants to inflict any, and who was the last occupant of the historic place of confine- ment in the Clock Tower? To the latter question the answer, I think, is Charles Bradlaugh, who was given a brief period of durance there in i88o as a result of the disorder arising during the discussion whether he should or should not take the oath ; there may be a later case than that, but I have not found one. Imprisonment, either in the Clock Tower or elseiivhere in the precincts of the House (Smith O'Brien was accommodated for some time in an improvised prison in Palace Yard in 1846) or in one of His Majesty's gaols is clearly within the competence of the House, but the prorogation of Parlia- ment at the end of the session brings automatic release. Short of that a Member may be expelled from the House (though he is free to stand again at the next General Election) or suspended for a period or merely reprimanded. Needless to say, it is not to be assumed that either of the Members on whom the Committee of Privileges has reported will gaffer any of such penalties. Their cases are strictly sub judice and must be treated as such.
* * * *
Previous page
