§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal how many persons have been granted short-term passes for entry into 8W the Palace of Westminster as secretaries or research assistants in the last year for which figures are available; and how many of these are of foreign nationality.
§ Mr. BiffenA total of 943 temporary Palace of Westminster photo-identity passes have been issued for Members' secretaries or research assistants since September 1985, the earliest date that records are available. Of these, 473 have been issued to foreign nationals.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal how many persons of United States nationality are holders of permanent or temporary passes as research assistants to hon. Members in the Palace of Westminster; how many are unpaid; and what information he has as to means of recruitment.
§ Mr. BiffenEighty-nine persons of United States nationality currently hold temporary or full Palace of Westminster photo-identity passes. None of these receives payment through the Fees Office from Members' allowances; Members have individual responsibility for the recruitment and conditions of service of their staff, and no other records are kept on how or if they are paid.