Chris Bryant
Main Page: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda and Ogmore)
Mr Speaker
I hope that over the last two and three-quarter years I have given some indication, not just by voice but by conduct, that I believe that this House should be pre-eminent. It should be treated by whomsoever is in government with courtesy and consideration. It should be regarded as a priority and a matter of honour to keep the House informed and to facilitate the House’s discharge of its scrutiny function, so I do not dissent from anything that the hon. Gentleman has said.
Mr Speaker
This will be the last point of order, I hope, on this or any related matter. I call Mr Chris Bryant.
Chris Bryant
Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Can you confirm that article 9 of the Bill of Rights makes it clear that no other body, including a court, can impeach or question a proceeding in Parliament, so the only body that can adjudicate on whether a Minister has misled the House, whether deliberately or inadvertently, is this House, and that Lord Leveson has no power to do so?
Mr Speaker
I believe the hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct in his statement and interpretation of article 9.