§ Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You have in the past rightly pointed out that you protect the rights and interests of Bank Benchers. Will you give us an assurance, in view of a number of statements that have been made inside and outside the House, that the rights of Members of Parliament extend to the confidentiality of their telephone calls, whether in terms of a direct tap or through GCHQ? Will you give an assurance, Mr. Speaker, that hon. Members' telephone conversations in this place are in confidence? Can you tell us whether the rules that have been followed by successive Prime Ministers about the tapping of hon. Members' telephones still apply?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe answer to both questions is yes. As for the telephone conversations of hon. Members in the House, I propose to look into that matter.