§ Mr. Allan Roberts (Bootle)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—and this is a legitimate point of order. We are about to have a statement from the Secretary of State for the Environment about the disposal of nuclear waste. As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Select Committee on the Environment has produced a report on this issue. The Chairman of that Select Committee has already made major inquiries into leaks of that report and some of its proposals. The report is not due to be published until 14 March.
Will it be in order for a member of the Select Committee to ask questions on this statement that relate to the recommendations in the Select Committee report? I want to do that, but I do not want to be accused of breaching privilege and giving away the recommendations. If I am not allowed to ask questions, the Government's decision to announce their recommendations today in advance of the publication of the Select Committee report will be seen as an act designed to gag members of the Select Committee.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have not heard yet what the Secretary of State for the Environment has to say on the matter. If the hon. Gentleman asks a question that is related directly to what the Secretary of State has said, I cannot see how he will be in error.