§ Mr. Leslie HuckfieldI rise on what I believe is a genuine point of order, namely, a statement which appeared in the Daily Mail this morning about telephone tapping, a statement which purported to come from the Home Office. There was a report in the Daily Mail yesterday that the numbers of telephone tapings in London had increased to 1,250 a year.
When I have tried to ask in the House Questions about the numbers of telephone tapings, and the authorised procedure for telephone tapping, the Table Office has told me that under the rules of the House I am not allowed to ask such Questions. It now seems that information which I cannot be given in the House, because of the Official Secrets Act and the rules of the House, is given to the Press. I submit that it is an abuse of the privileges of the House when I as a Member of Parliament cannot discover information, but a newspaper can.
I also submit, Mr. Speaker, that in a matter of great importance like this, when I have knowledge that even my telephone calls may have been tapped, the Home Secretary should at least make a state- 1366 ment. May I ask for your guidance on the matter?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not quite certain whether I detect a point of order for me, but I will consider what the hon. Gentleman said and if necessary rule upon it.