§ Mr. John Townend (Bridlington)On a different point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to a matter that you may feel it appropriate to refer to the Committee of Privileges? For the past 24 hours——
Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is not the way to raise a matter of privilege. The House has changed its rules. If an hon. Member wishes me to look at a question of privilege, he should write to me and give me a chance to consider it.
§ Mr. TownendI am grateful for your guidance, Mr. Speaker. In the past 24 hours the telephone in my office in the Palace of Westminster has been out of order. When I requested that it be repaired, I was told that the engineers would not repair telephones because they were protesting about the Telecommunications Bill. Is that not an attempt improperly to influence a Member of Parliament, and should not steps be taken to ensure that Members of Parliament can carry our their duties without hindrance?