§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On an entirely different point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I raise at the first opportunity a matter relating to proceedings in Parliament ? I tabled a written question to the Prime Minister today to ask
if she will introduce legislation to amend the Official Secrets Act so as to provide that civil servants who provide information to Mr. Speaker are not open to prosecution in the courts".I raise this because it concerns the office of Speaker. The reply was that there were no plans to do so at the present time.In the light of several events, not least the events arising out of the trial of Clive Ponting, and of other difficulties relating to civil servants, may I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that during the recess you at least consider whether those who go to you in your official capacity as Speaker of the House of Commons and to the Clerk's Department should in some way be protected from actions in the courts? There is nowhere else for those people to go, other than to the press, and that would be most unsatisfactory. If I had gone to the press in the Ponting case, the verdict might have been different. May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to consider those weighty matters during the recess and to reflect on the way in which proceedings in Parliament should operate?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman has raised a matter which is new to me. I shall certainly reflect carefully on it.