§ Mr. Parryasked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has received from representatives of hon. Members' secretaries concerning the recent decision of the House of Commons (Services) Committee on the use of taxis at the Members' entrance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenI have received one letter from a Member's secretary on this point. In addition, I understand that the branch secretary of the TGWU 1/427 parliamentary branch has written to the chairman of the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee on behalf of those secretaries and research assistants who are members of that branch. Both letters urge reconsideration of the Services Committee's decision.
These and other representations on this matter have now been considered by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee. In view of the complaints made by Members about the taxi queue over a number of years, the Sub-Committee was unwilling to recommend the rescission of the Services Committee's resolution. But it has been agreed that no steps will be taken to implement the resolution before 1 July this year, and that the 215W Committee should review the matter before that date. The Committee's final decision on this issue is likely to depend on the willingness of other users of the Members' Entrance to observe the rule that Members are to have priority at all times when taxis draw up for hire.