HC Deb 28 September 1939 vol 351 cc1482-3
53. Miss Ward

asked the Home Secretary when passes will be issued to Members of Parliament in their area to the offices of the Regional Commissioner?

Sir J. Anderson

This is a matter which has been left to the discretion of the Regional Commissioners, and I understand that such passes have already been issued from the office of the Regional Commissioner in whose region my hon. Friend's constituency lies.

Sir Irving Albery

May I ask why passes are required in these cases?

Sir J. Anderson

I think it depends on the arrangements that can be made at the particular office for dealing with visitors.

Colonel Arthur Evans

Do I understand my right hon. Friend to say that the Regional Commissioner has the right to refuse a Member of Parliament a pass if he thinks fit to do so?

Sir J. Anderson

I think the Regional Commissioner has the right to regulate the business of the Department of which he is the head.

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Surely Members of Parliament have the right of access to Regional Commissioners?

Sir J. Anderson

There is no suggestion to the contrary. It simply means that in certain buildings not originally designed for the purposes to which they are now being put, it is an advantage for those who have constant business to transact there to be able to go straight in, instead of waiting to be dealt with at the door in the ordinary way.

Sir A. Sinclair

Is it clear that a Member of Parliament has access to the Regional Commissioner by right and not by grace?

Sir J. Anderson

I should say that the answer clearly is that a Member of Parliament in dealing with persons in the office of a Regional Commissioner is in exactly the same position as he occupies in relation to the Departments in Whitehall.

Mr. Thorne

Why should Members of Parliament put their noses in everywhere?

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