§ Mr. CryerOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your guidance now, particularly since we shall shortly be dealing with the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill.
In the past few weeks the representative of a public relations firm called International News Services has been using the House of Commons and Palace of Westminster facilities. I want to seek your confirmation that such a public relations firm can have no advantages just because it has two parliamentary advisers, but that its representative can be considered only as a member of the public and that if he wishes to go, for example, to the Terrace, the Strangers' Bar or other accessible parts, he must have the express authority of an hon. Member and be accompanied by an hon. Member.
In addition, will you confirm that such a public relations firm's representative is not allowed to use the telephones which are scattered around the building? The person to whom I am referring was seen using a police telephone.
This is a serious matter because many hon. Members are open to pressure and wish at some stage to withdraw from such pressure and to seek the haven of the Palace of Westminster for reflection. It seems quite untoward that an hon. Member can be open to hounding by a public relations representative who seems to treat the Palace of Westminster as though he owns it.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member has raised an important matter. I shall have inquiries made and will say something to the House in due course.