HC Deb 11 December 1989 vol 163 c661
37. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the honourable Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he has received any representations from staff involved in televising the House.

Mr. Beith

No representations have been received by the Commission in relation to those staff employed by the House. I understand, however, that representations have been made to the Supervisor of Broadcasting, and they are being dealt with.

Mr. Banks

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the exceedingly cramped conditions that the staff who provide the excellent televising of the House have to endure? Is he prepared to sit down and discuss with representatives of the staff concerned the possibility of extending their facilities; and will he guarantee that when—I assume that it will be when—we get around to confirming the televising of the House, additional premises and accommodation will be found for them within the Palace of Westminster?

Mr. Beith

Few staff are employed directly by the House in broadcasting, but the staff from the various agencies who work hard to provide the television pictures are indeed accommodation in temporary conditions, and should the House decide to make the experiment permanent it would be a matter for the Services Committee to determine whether any improvements were required.