Taxis (Members' Entrance) (Hansard, 4 March 1987)

§ Mr. Eric Heffer (Liverpool, Walton)
I should like to ask for your guidance and assistance, Mr. Speaker. The Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) has issued its report on minutes of proceedings for Tuesday, 17 February 1987. In that report item 3 relates to, "Taxis at Members' Entrance".
It states: That the privilege of queueing for taxis at Members' Entrance should be restricted to Members, Peers, Officers of the House and the spouses of Members and Peers if accompanied by the Member or Peer in question". That means the end of the practice that has been accepted in this House ever since I have been here—that staff other than Officers of the House and Members, have the right to queue and that journalists and other people have the right to queue. I am asking for an opportunity to discuss this pompous asses' decision, because that is what it is.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I do not think that such an experienced hon. Gentleman should call other Members of the House, who are members of the Select Committee, pompous asses. I hope that he will withdraw that remark.

§ Mr. Heffer
If I am not allowed to call them pompous asses, I shall not. Without consulting the trade unions, hon. Members or anyone else, the Select Committee has arrived at a decision that, frankly, is absolutely ridiculous. I want to know when and how we can discuss the matter and what we can do to change this absolutely ridiculous decision.

§ Mr. Speaker
Obviously, the hon. Gentleman feels very strongly about this. The Leader of the House has heard his question today. If the hon. Gentleman catches my eye tomorrow, he may put his question to the Leader of the House, who doubtless will by then have had time to think of a response.