HC Deb 19 July 1994 vol 247 cc192-4 4.22 pm
Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Have not successive Speakers deprecated from the Chair reference to applications for private notice questions? Is it not a little bit much to be told quite clearly by the Prime Minister at Question Time that we did not get a statement on the important issues involved in the decision to appoint the Luxembourg Prime Minister, Mr. Santer, rather than the Belgian Prime Minister, Mr. Dehaene, because we did not apply for private notice questions. Is this not a rather new doctrine? Supposing I were to put one in tomorrow— would I be lucky?

Madam Speaker

In answer to the last question, I think not. On the first question, it is not for me to interpret what the Prime Minister said. We all need to be clear about that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman, as I will, will read the Official Report tomorrow to see whether his interpretation is correct.

Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am aware of your concern about access to the House for all people, including disabled people. I am also aware of your desire to inquire into any alleged abuse of the House. I just tried to book a small dining room for a party of disabled constituents at the end of November, only to find that no booking is free until next year.

I would not have been concerned about that, if I had not this morning received from a constituent a Team 1000 document, which says that, if one pays £1,000 to the Conservative party, one can dine in the House of Commons on a regular basis. This is a letter from the chairman of the Conservative party, with an accompanying note from the Prime Minister.

Last year, 1,399 bookings were made by Conservative Members and only 167 by Labour Members. During the summer recess, will you please inquire into what is happening, when people can pay £1,000 and buy access to here but my constituents cannot do so?

Madam Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is telling me that he cannot book a dining room between now and next year. I think that he should refer the matter to the Catering Committee. I will do so myself, but it is also incumbent on the hon. Gentleman to do so.

Mr. Sheerman

Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. May I give you the documentation, which advertises facilities—

Madam Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman began his point of order by saying that no room was available for him to entertain constituents between now and next year, but that at the same time rooms are being advertised. There is obviously something wrong. I suggest that he refers the entire matter to the Chairman of the Catering Committee, who is responsible, and I shall do so myself. Therefore, there will be a two-pronged effect, and a very effective two-pronged effect at that.

Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)

On another matter, Madam Speaker, which involves the integrity of the House of Commons. You will recall ruling last week that the rules of the House would be upheld. Have you seen the list of Members to be appointed to the Privileges Committee? Have you noticed—

Madam Speaker

Order. There is nothing disorderly about that. We shall reach that subject later tonight, and the hon. Gentleman can make his views known then. It is not a matter to be dealt with now. It is on the Order Paper to be dealt with at the appropriate time.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)

With reference to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman), would it be possible to consider the wider issue and the way in which the House of Commons is increasingly being used purely and simply for commercial purposes? Apart from being used by the Conservative party, the dining rooms are hired by hon. Members on behalf of various commercial organisations —in some cases hon. Members receive money, and in others they do not. Is it not undesirable for dining rooms of the House of Commons—the representative assembly of the British people—to be used sometimes for commercial purposes?

Madam Speaker

I am hoping that the reference that I promised to make to the Chairman of the Catering Committee—the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) will do likewise—will be looked into. That issue relates to the original point of order.

Mr. Brian Wilson (Cunninghame, North)

Further to the point of order raised by the hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman), Madam Speaker. Without going into specifics, could you give us guidance as to whether there are any circumstances in which it is in order for people to sell tickets for £1,000 or any other price to eat in the Houses of Parliament?

Madam Speaker

I want to see all the information before I am prepared to comment on that. I am sure that the hon. Member for Huddersfield will let my office have that information as soon as possible.

Mr. Bill Walker (Tayside, North)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. As for doing things properly, when approached by a lobby organisation to book one of the rooms downstairs that we use for afternoon teas and other things, is it in order for an hon. Member like me to do so on behalf of the trade unions and the workers at Rosyth? That is just what I have done within the past two weeks, and it seems to be a proper use of lobbying and Parliament.

One should be careful before one makes charges against individual Conservative Members who believe that they are carrying out their parliamentary duties.

Madam Speaker

We cannot hold an inquiry on that matter now across the Floor of the House.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am sorry to press you on the matter, but can I ask you a direct question? Do you believe that there would be a conflict of interests on the Privileges Committee in the event of the motion being carried? The hon. Member for Shipley—

Madam Speaker

Order. I will not hear anything further from the hon. Gentleman. I ask him to resume his seat. We can discuss that matter later tonight as it is on the Order Paper. [Interruption.] Order. The hon. Gentleman knows precisely our procedures; he may well take action this evening, but it is not for him to take action now, as we have not reached that stage on the Order Paper.