§ 17. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to implement the recommendation of the Accommodation Committee of 1961 that a central dictation scheme should be set up for the use of Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. BarberA system of this kind would be expensive. If it were to be provided free this would raise issues about the financial privileges of Members.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that it is no use committees or commissions making recommendations if they are to be completely ignored in this way? Why will not the hon. Gentleman implement this recommendation?
§ Mr. BarberI assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that the recommendation was not ignored. But it is a fact that the Accommodation Committee's Report showed that more Members were opposed to the idea than were in favour of it.