§ 29. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make 1385 financial provision for the publication at monthly intervals of a list of dining room bookings, giving the names of organisations and hon. Members. [15719]
§ Mr. Beith (on behalf of the House of Commons Commission)The provision of such information is a matter for the Catering Committee, following the implementation of the structure set out in the Ibbs report.
§ Mr. PrenticeMay I urge the right hon. Gentleman to make suitable representations to the Catering Committee? As the Nolan committee is examining the interests of Members of Parliament, their parliamentary consultancies, and so on—about which there has been tremendous public concern—is there not a case for greater transparency and openness, so that people outside know exactly which Members of Parliament are booking how many rooms for outside organisations?
§ Mr. BeithThe hon. Gentleman can urge the Catering Committee, as no doubt he did before it gave a parliamentary written answer on that very subject on 1 February at columns 671–72. He has also no doubt urged his hon. Friends on the Committee, on which the Opposition are well represented by the hon. Members for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon) and for Heywood and Middleton (Mr. Callaghan).