THESE are strange days, with rival MPs finding themselves in the unusual position of agreeing with each other about almost everything.

They agree about the military action being taken against the Taliban and that Tony Blair is doing a fine job of holding together the international coalition against Osama bin Laden's terror network.

But it seems there is still one thing about which they cannot agree - which MP should be allowed to claim the ownership rights to the SAS!

Indeed Hereford's Paul Keetch and Leominister's Bill Wiggin even chose to have it out in a mystifying exchange during the third emergency recall of Parliament on Monday.

Mr Keetch, the Liberal Democrat's Defence spokesman, often makes subtle references to the elite squadron being based in his constituency.

And, during Monday's debate about the start of military action, he understandably did so again. He said: "The armed forces are our friends and our constituents.

"As individual members of Parliament, we know the effect that the armed forces have on our communities and constituencies..."

At this point, a disgruntled Mr Wiggin recalled the fact the SAS had moved premises a couple of years ago - and had crossed the constituency boundary into his own patch.

He rose to his feet and indicated Mr Keetch may be having a hard time accepting this fact.

He said: "May I point out that the base that used to be in his constituency is now in mine."

Mr Keetch did not like this at all - and even forgot one of Parliament's most peculiar unwritten rules.

He said: "(Mr Wiggin) has made a silly remark, as I was about to say that I do not have a base in my constituency now that 22 Special Air Services Regiment has moved two miles to the base at Credenhill.

"That is in (Mr Wiggin's) constituency, but many people who work there live in my constituency. He should have waited before jumping in with a rather silly point."

The unwritten rule? MPs are not supposed to mention the SAS in the chamber of the Commons.

It stems from a time when it was not even officially recognised that the regiment existed - with Michael Portillo the most high-profile MP to fall foul of the protocol.

Mr Portillo received a ticking off for his despatch box comment: "Three letters instill fear into the world - SAS."

But, with minds elsewhere, Mr Keetch's comments passed without remark - even from Mr Wiggin.