§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanI wish, Mr. Speaker, to raise a matter of privilege that has arisen during the course of this afternoon's proceedings. I very much regret that the hon. Member for Rossendale (Mr. Noble) is not present. I must neverthless raise the matter now.
The hon. Gentleman raised a point of order about me during the course of which I understood him to state that the hon. Member for Lancaster had been informed that there were no problems over water supplies in Lancaster. That, I submit, is information that the hon. Member could have obtained only direct from the chairman of the North-West water authority, Mr. Mann. Is it not a breach of privilege for the chairman of a nationalised water undertaking to communicate to one hon. Member a private conversation that he has had with another hon. Member?
§ Mr. SpeakerAlthough the House has now ruled that privilege applications should come to me in writing, I allowed the hon. Lady to make her privilege request to me because she obviously feels very strongly on the matter. I never answer privilege questions on the day that they are raised. I always like time to consider them.
§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanI have my request in writing, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerIf the hon. Lady will be kind enough to see that it reaches my office, I shall be much obliged and shall look at the matter very carefully.