Facilities (Hire) (Hansard, 25 July 1988)

§ Mr. Cryer
To ask the Lord President of the Council whether the House of Commons Terrace is available for hire to outside organisations; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Wakeham
No. Only Members and Officers of the House may sponsor functions in the Terrace Pavilion.

§ Mr. Cryer
To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the charges made for the hire of private dining rooms in the Palace at Westminster.

§ Mr. Wakeham
Minimum hire charges for private dining rooms are levied only when the total cost of food provided is less than the advance deposit required.
The relevant deposits are set out in the information booklet "Banqueting Department" available from the Refreshment Department.

§ Mr. Cryer
To ask the Lord President of the Council whether any charge is made to commercial organisations for displays in the Upper Waiting Hall; what rules govern advertising; who gives permission for displays; and if he will make a statement.
122W

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
[holding answer 22 July 1988]: The information requested is as follows:

§ Mr. Wakeham
No charge is made for the exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall, which can only be mounted by a right hon. or hon. Member.
The rules governing the arrangements for these exhibitions are set out in the Serjeant At Arms' Department information leaflet "Exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall," which clearly states that exhibitions should not contain items of advertising or commercial interest nor material explicitly intended to further the aims of any political party or group. In accordance with the procedures approved by the Services Committee, an hon. Member wishing to book an exhibition space should submit his application to the relevant Government Department and also the Chairman of the A and A Sub-Committee for approval.