§ 32. Mr. TredinnickTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of the implications of the recommendation in the report of the Select Committee on Sittings of the House for working conditions of hon. Members and staff.
§ Mr. BeithThe Commission has made no assessment of the possible implications of the report on the sittings of the House because of its responsibility to ensure that appropriate staffing arrangements are made to accommodate whatever hours of sitting the House may determine.
§ Mr. TredinnickDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that if the procedures of the House are streamlined and become more efficient, not only Members but staff will benefit as a result of the great reduction in late-night sittings, many of which are deemed by hon. Members to be unnecessary?
§ Mr. BeithYes, Madam Speaker. That is my view, but it is for the Commission to provide appropriate staffing arrangements for whatever the House may determine.
§ Mr. Bryan DaviesWill the right hon. Gentleman support the provision of nursery facilities for the children of the workers who support us in this House?
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is gazumping a later question. If he rephrases his question so that it refers to sittings of the House, I will hear it.
§ Mr. DaviesMy question relates to whatever hours the House works——
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. That was not the original question. We must move on now.