HC Deb 11 May 1988 vol 133 c123W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Prime Minister (I) why she did not inform right hon. and hon. Members representing central London constituencies that she proposed to cease the practice of informing them of her intentions to visit their constituencies;

(2) why she informs right hon. and hon. Members representing constituencies outside central London of her intentions to visit their constituencies;

(3) how many times, since she decided not to inform right hon. and hon. Members representing central London constituencies of visits to their constituencies, she has visited Holborn and St. Pancras;

(4) when she ceased to make it her practice to inform right hon. and hon. Members representing seats in central London of her intentions to visit their constituency;

(5) which constituencies are covered by her decision not to inform right hon. and hon. Members representing central London constituencies of her intentions to visit their constituency;

(6) why she has decided not to inform right hon. and hon. Members representing central London constituencies of her intentions to visit their constituency.

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies of 3 May 1988, at column350. My usual practice has always been to inform any Members of a visit to his or her constituency shortly before the visit is due to take place, as a courtesy to the hon. Member concerned. It would be impractical to do so, however, in relation to central London because of the frequency of visits in that area which I undertake in the course of my duties. Records are not readily available of the visits I undertake to these central London constituencies, which for this purpose include the city of London and Westminster, South, Chelsea, Kensington, Westminster, North, Holborn and St. Pancras and Islington, South and Finsbury.