§ 30. Mr. Greenwayasked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements are made for ex-Members of Parliament to witness House of Commons proceedings when they wish to do so.
§ Mr. BiffenThere is no provision for ex-Members of Parliament to witness proceedings of the House of Commons other than by obtaining an admission order, either through a Member of Parliament or from the Admission Order Office.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs it not hard on ex-Members of Parliament who wish to witness our proceedings that they have to queue or resort to various other means to get into the precincts of the House? Should they not have the same rights as peers of the realm to sit in the Special Galleries?
§ Mr. BiffenI do not think that this is particularly hard on ex-Members. Every time there is advocacy, however persuasive, to increase the privileges of others to enjoy access to the House, bit by bit the facilities available for hon. Members are diminished. I take that as a general proposition. Therefore, I do not feel particularly generous towards the idea of extending facilities in the manner that my hon. Friend suggests.