§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. The question has been raised before, in general terms, about the transfer of written questions to individuals, writing on behalf of a particular executive agency.
What concerns me is that I asked a question of the Chairman of the Catering Committee—which, as you will appreciate, is not an executive agency—and it was transferred to the director of catering services. I ask you to discourage that practice, particularly as the question was about what appears to be the theft of a large quantity of cutlery and silverware. It concerns you particularly, Madam Speaker, because it carries the portcullis, the insignia of the House of Commons. That was not removed before this cutlery ended up on sale in the United States, apparently in considerable quantities.
I understand that the Catering Department managed to get the sum of £109 in scrap value from the sale of some of the items. Knives, forks, spoons, milk jugs, cream jugs, teapots and a range of items are on sale from an American firm. For example, a meat dish is on sale at roughly £250.
This is a matter of considerable importance which the Chairman of the Catering Committee—I notified him that I intended to raise this point of order with you—has shuffled off on to the director of catering services. A matter that concerns both you, regarding the control of the Portcullis and the disposal of these items, should, it seems to me, have been dealt with by the Chairman of the appropriate Committee.
§ Madam SpeakerThe House, I am sure, knows that I do not believe everything that I read in the press. However, I did believe one item that I was told about—that the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) had tabled a question for answer by the Chairman of the Catering Committee. If the hon. Gentleman will leave the matter with me, I shall certainly raise it with the Chairman of the Committee.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Every morning, Monday to Thursday, as you know, about 2,000 people come through the House of Commons on the Line of Route. This morning, information was passed to me that a considerable number of people who follow the Line of Route would be barred from doing so. I made inquiries and found that one of these Common Market Presidents was due to come here, the one from Portugal.
Frankly, I think that it is totally and utterly wrong that people who, in some cases, have travelled 300 or 400 miles to London to visit the House of Commons should be barred from the Line of Route just to allow the President of Portugal to come into the Chamber on his own, irrespective of who was responsible for the invitation. People talk about the classless society in this place, but today's example shows that it is as far away as ever.
§ Madam SpeakerI am aware that the President of Portugal visited the House this morning and I am proud that he did so. I understand that he was invited to view the Chamber by an hon. Member. In deference to the visit of a Head of State, and on grounds of security, the admission of visitors to the Chamber was delayed by some five minutes. I am content with the arrangements that were made.