Point of Order (Hansard, 21 December 1999)

§ Mr. Crispin Blunt (Reigate)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Following your ruling on 14 May 1997 about the oath of allegiance and access to the services of the House, I was surprised and alarmed to read in The Sunday Times this weekend that Sinn Fein MPs Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are to be given offices in Westminster without having to swear the oath of allegiance to the Queen … Betty Boothroyd, the Speaker, is finalising the details. The article went on to say: Boothroyd's concession is part of the delicate choreography of 'confidence building measures' designed by George Mitchell … Boothroyd will justify her change of heart on the basis of the new devolved administration at Stormont … The Commons authorities have been pressured into making the gesture by Downing Street. 'These are elected MPs voted in by their constituents,' one senior source said.

The Times today states: It is understood that Betty Boothroyd, the Speaker, has dug in her heels to prevent a breach of the general rule that MPs who do not swear allegiance to the Queen cannot have access to Westminster facilities. But Miss Boothroyd is reported to accept the Government's view that allowing the two MPs to have offices at Westminster could be seen as part of the 'confidence-building' measures. One aspect of those stories is certainly true—that the deal, if there is one, will horrify some Tories, and that includes me.

What is going on? Have you, Madam Speaker, been put under any pressure by Downing street; and could you confirm that if you have been—or are in the future—put under any pressure by the Executive to change your ruling of 14 May 1997 unilaterally, the request would be met with the dusty response that Members of this House would expect from you?

§ Madam Speaker

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman does not believe everything that he reads in the press, but he is correct in recalling May 1997, when I informed the House of my decision that Members who do not take their seats should not have access to the facilities of the House. This summer, the European Court of Human Rights rejected on all counts a challenge to that decision. It is true to say that one or two Ministers have been to see me recently. The House would not expect me to divulge any conversations. Others may divulge conversations of that nature; I do not. Should Ministers now wish the two Sinn Fein Members to have access to some of our facilities, it would be for the Government to bring a motion to that effect for debate and decision by the House. I am the servant of the House and if it approved such a motion, I would of course ensure that it was put into effect.