§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Lord President of the Council whether he has studied the supporting research facilities available to back bench members of parliament in other European Community countries and in the United States of America; and how these compare with those in the House of Commons.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI am aware that the support facilities available to Members of this House compare unfavourably with those in a number of other legislatures. These comparisons have no doubt been taken into account by the Select Committee on Assistance to Private Members in their recommendations to the House.