§ Mr. George Foulkes (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your help in relation to the somewhat surprising referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions of the publication in The Observer of the diary of a naval officer of HMS Conqueror. As I have here a copy of that same diary, which I have used in relation to questions in the House and public statements, can you advise me whether I am also liable to be referred to the DPP, or whether I am immune as a Member of the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member knows that it has never been the practice of the Chair to give advice to hon. Members from the Chair. If the hon. Member will write to me about the matter, I shall look into it and see what I can do to help him.
§ Mr. FoulkesFurther to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. My question relates to the responsibility, which you take very seriously, of protecting the interests of Members. As the diary was published some months ago in The Guardian and elsewhere, there is a suspicion that the action has been taken now deliberately to gag Members of this House. Can you help us in relation to that?
§ Mr. SpeakerThis is the first that I have heard about the hon. Member having a copy of the diary. As I have just said to him, if he will write to me and let me have a look at this, I shall gladly do so and see what I can do to help him.