The best description comes from an email by Richard Maine. http://gcc.gnu.org/ml/fortran/2005-10/msg00073.html
Consider the following code: module a implicit none real b end module a module c use a implicit none private contains subroutine d namelist /e/ b read(5,e) end subroutine d end module c The PRIVATE keyword in MODULE C does not effect the PUBLIC attribute of b that is available via the USE a statement. Note, Lahey's website says the above is conforming code. -- Summary: PRIVATE/PUBLIC attribute confusion screws NAMELIST Product: gcc Version: 4.1.0 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: normal Priority: P2 Component: fortran AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: kargl at gcc dot gnu dot org http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=24207