§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to introduce a revised system for booking exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall which avoids the need for personal queuing.
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§ Mr. BiffenI understand that the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee of the Services Committee will be reviewing this matter shortly.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the present system for booking exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall; who is permitted actually to make the bookings; what are the time limits on bookings; and on how many occasions in the last 12 months persons have sought, at the earliest available opportunity, to book exhibitions more than there have been slots available.
§ Mr. BiffenUnder arrangements agreed by the Services Committee exhibitions may be booked on a firstcome-first-served basis at the Serjeant at Arms' Office. A booking may be made by an hon. Member or by his secretary or research assistant. Bookings may be made immediately after the announcement of the appropriate recess dates as follows:
Recess Date Announced Booking Period Available Summer End of Summer Recess to Christmas Recess Christmas End of Christmas Recess to Easter Recess Easter End of Easter Recess to Summer Recess In the past 12 months, 17 hon. Members applied for bookings on opening days without success.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) if he will take steps to introduce arrangements for booking the Upper Waiting Hall for exhibitions for a period of half a week; and if he will make a statement.
(2) if he will take steps to introduce arrangements to permit two small exhibitions to be mounted simultaneously in the Upper Waiting Hall, one on each side; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenI have asked the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee of the Services Committee to include these matters in its forthcoming review of exhibition arrangements.