Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:53 pm on 16 December 1986.
On this point, Mr. Speaker. In view of the serious allegations made by my hon. Friend the Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) today and by my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) yesterday, would you consider this to be a matter of the utmost priority? One never knows, but if the allegation is true and steps have been taken to intercept hon. Members' calls, the responsibility falls on all sides and, of course, on yourself, Sir, to try to ensure that the system is discontinued. Would you also accept that any investigation which takes place should be under your direct control, not under the Government's control, because we have no confidence that any such inquiry carried out on behalf of the Government would in any way be thorough or impartial?