HC Deb 15 February 1978 vol 944 cc439-40
Mr. Greville Janner

I wish to raise a point of order of which I have given you notice, Mr. Speaker—the continuation of the restrictions on the Line of Route after the end of the firemen's strike.

This matter was raised in the House at the time, and I understood that it was your understanding, Mr. Speaker, as well as the understanding of hon. Members, that the restrictions were for the period of the firemen's strike, that they were regrettable and that they would be ended as soon as possible. But the only one that has been ended is the restriction on numbers. We are still not able to bring our constituents or other parties into the Robing Room, the Lords Chamber or the Crypt.

I am sure that we understand the needs of security, but these must be balanced against the rights of access of hon. Members and their constituents and other citizens to our Palace of Westminster. Matters have reached the stage where last week I was given the key to the Crypt and allowed to take constituents' children there, but yesterday I was told that the Crypt was out of bounds to hon. Members, with or without guests. When matters reach that stage, Mr. Speaker, I ask you, as guardian of our liberties, to intervene.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman gave me notice this morning that he would raise this point of order.

Last November I was advised by the Joint Committee on Security that because of the firemen's strike, and for other reasons of security, there should be restrictions to the Line of Route.

The hon. Gentleman was quite right to say that when the strike was over the restriction on the number of visitors in a party that could be taken around was removed. The number returned to 32. But certain other physical restrictions remained, on the advice of the Joint Security Committee. These are the exclusion of the Robing Room, which is not in our part of the building, and the Crypt Chapel, which we share with another place. There remained also a requirement that visitors to the House of Lords should view their Lordships' Chamber from the Bar only.

I am assured that the Joint Security Committee is keeping the situation under review. I know that hon. Members will not expect me in public to go into questions of security. These restrictions are not imposed lightly or to annoy hon. Members. They are made after considerable thought.