§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Lord President of the Council what arrangements have been made to permit the BBC to broadcast a radio programme from a Committee Room of the House; on what terms; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweArrangements have been made for a radio programme to be recorded in the Grand Committee Room. The authority for any direct broadcast from the House, other than of Proceedings of the House, is the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services); it is permissible, however, to record a meeting sponsored by an hon. Member, for broadcasting at a later date.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), as representing the House of Commons Commission, whether any House of Commons staff are involved in the arrangements for a BBC programme to be recorded in a Committee Room of the House on 8 May; and whether any reimbursement is being made by the BBC to the Commission for staff or other costs.
§ Mr. BeithStaff of the House are available to administer Committee Rooms with regard both to sittings of Committees of the House and private meetings sponsored by hon. Members; in the case of the meeting arranged in the name of the Leader of the House on 8 May no additional costs have been identified and the question of reimbursement does not arise.