HC Deb 04 February 1964 vol 688 cc973-4
Q1. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister if he will move to appoint a Select Committee to consider policing and security arrangements for Members and their property in those parts of the Palace of Westminster appropriated to the use of Members at times when the House stands adjourned for more than one day.

The Prime Minister (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)

No, Sir. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction with the present arrangements.

Mr. Manuel

The right hon. Gentleman has not been here long enough.

Mr. Lipton

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that this Question arises from the theft of an hon. Member's car from the inner precincts of the Palace of Westminster at a time when the Lord Great Chamberlain is supposed to be responsible for the security of Members' property in the Palace? Does not the Prime Minister think that the time has come for hon. Members to have some little say about their domestic arrangements for the security of their property?

The Prime Minister

I am very sorry that the hon. Gentleman's car was stolen, but very glad that it was recovered later by the police. I do not think that there is general dissatisfaction in the House with the existing arrangements.

Mr. C. Pannell

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that he must be the only Member in the House—presumably because he has just come from another place—who thinks that the present arrangements are suitable? Is the Prime Minister aware that Members have business in this House both during the Recesses and during weekends, and that the present arrangements are com- pletely unsuitable in that the authority of Mr. Speaker ceases when the House rises and that authority passes to the Lord Great Chamberlain who presumes to think that when the House is not sitting Members should not be here.

The Prime Minister

I do not think that the fact that one hon. Member's car has been removed in the whole history of the House leads one to the conclusion drawn by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Pannell

But is the Prime Minister aware that this is only the last of a whole series of incidents which have caused a great deal of irritation, and that even custodians under the Lord Great Chamberlain have been known to address crowds of sightseers and indicate that Members of Parliament have no right to be here on Saturday mornings? Is the Prime Minister also aware that Members have put up with insolence in many respects and that there is grave dissatisfaction which has been registered through the Serjeant at Arms and Mr. Speaker from time to time? Will the Prime Minister make some inquiries about this?

The Prime Minister

If there is the general dissatisfaction which the hon. Gentleman says there is, I hope that he will make representations either to me or to the Leader of the House, but I am not satisfied at the present that there is general dissatisfaction with the arrangements.