§ 35. Mr. Crowtherasked the Lord President of the Council if he will ask the Services Committee to consider the matter of access to the precincts of the House of television crews wishing to conduct interviews with hon. Members, in view of the obstruction and security risks which the present arrangements may cause.
§ Mr. PymI shall ask the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee to look into the matter that the hon. Member has raised.
§ Mr. CrowtherCan the Lord President confirm the information that I was given by an inspector of the House of Commons police, following an incident in which the T3 Corridor had been completely blocked for a long time by a television crew and their equipment, that all they needed to get into the House was a letter signed by a Member? Is it not obvious that the ease with which a signature could be forged presents the risk of imposters coming in through the security check concealing something much more lethal than television equipment?
§ Mr. PymThat aspect can also be examined by the authorities of the House concerned with security. I am sorry about the inconvenience to which the hon. Gentleman was put. There are rules about what it is possible to do in the House without further permission, and I shall have the matter investigated.