§ 31. Mr. Bennasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange that official paid envelopes should be available for Members to use when writing to each other at the House of Commons.
§ Mr. BennIs the Chancellor aware that Members are allowed to write free to only six other Members on any one day and that beyond that they have to pay 3d. in order to communicate with their colleagues? Is he also aware that his reply will help to perpetuate the reputation that this Parliament has with regard to its working conditions of being the most ramshackle in the world?
Mr. AmoryThe Report of the Select Committee on Members' Expenses made it clear that any use of official paid postage was a concession. While the House is in session, I should have thought that all hon. Members were here and that when the House is in recess no hon. Member is here.
§ Mr. BennIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not possible for a Member to communicate with more than six other Members in any one day without paying for a 3d. stamp? Therefore, this Question has very considerable point.
§ Mr. BennOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.