Admission Orders (Hansard, 9 February 1987)

§ 26. Mr. Peter Bruinvels
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many admission orders were issued for the Strangers Gallery in each of the past three years; of those issued to 16 hon. Members and right hon. Members, what was the percentage take-up; and if there are any plans to change the arrangements for ticket allocation.

§ The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)
The number of admission orders issued for the Strangers' Gallery over the past three years was 134,160 in 1986, 140,527 in 1985, and 141,868 in 1984. The percentage take-up of those orders issued to hon. Members for the same three years was 52.7 per cent., 48.6 per cent., and 53.5 per cent. respectively. I have no plans for changing the arrangements for the allocation of tickets to hon. Members.

§ Mr. Bruinvels
Will my right hon. Friend look again at the way in which the allocation of admission orders is undertaken, especially as it appears that 47 per cent. of hon. Members do not take up their orders? May I ask him to consider the possibility of hon. Members who know that it is their allocation day writing in and applying for tickets in order to ensure that there are no empty areas in the Strangers' Gallery? Other hon. Members who are not in the list for that day could apply for the tickets, so that the House is properly supported at all times.

§ Mr. Biffen
The present system has the merit of being relatively simple and everybody gets a chance to use his ticket if he wishes. Of course many tickets are returned, but they are eventually allocated. Half an hour is allowed before that process takes place and that often gives rise to the impression that the Galleries are far more empty when in fact they are temporarily under-used.

§ Mr. Campbell-Savours
Does it seem right to the Leader of the House that there should be space up there in the Galleries and behind me when there is a queue of people outside waiting to come into the House?

§ Mr. Biffen
That raises a totally different set of propositions from those put by my hon. Friend. It is Monday afternoon and it would not be wise for me to go down that path so early in the week.